Rectal stump mucocele after a Hartmann’s procedure causing mechanical ileus

Abstract

Two years after a Hartmann’s procedure, an 85-year-old woman was admitted at our emergency department with abdominal bloating and severe constipation for 5 days. Abdominal CT showed a large rectal stump mucocele associated with compression of surrounding structures, causing a mechanical ileus and a bilateral pyelocaliceal dilatation. Successful transanal drainage with a rectal catheter allowed rapid recovery.

Blind loop mucocele of a side-to-end colorectal anastomosis as a rare cause of large bowel obstruction

“…Rectal mucoceles are exceedingly rare. Rectal pouch mucoceles following Hartmann’s procedure (proctosigmoidectomy) and rectal wall mucoceles have been known to cause obstruction or compression of other pelvic structures 1 2. To our knowledge and after thorough review of the literature, LBO due to blind colonic limb mucocele of a side-to-end colorectal anastomosis has not been described.…”

“…Similar cases of mucocele-causing LBO have not yet been described in the literature, with previously reported cases predominantly involving the appendix. Rectal stump mucoceles have been described following Hartmann’s procedure as well as rectal mucocele formation in the anterior wall of the rectum 1 2. Increasing clinicians’ awareness, and adding to the publicly accessible literature regarding blind colonic loop mucocele of a side-to-end anastomosis as a rare cause of LBO, are important for clinicians’ continual learning and for up-to-date accurate preoperative consenting of patients.…”