Operative strategies and outcomes for patients with severe pulmonary artery hypertension and intestinal obstruction: Case series from single institution - Sharing lessons to improve surgical outcomes

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is a known perioperative risk factor that carries a high morbidity and mortality rate. Severe pulmonary hypertension is related to high morbidity after general anaesthesia. We are reporting three patients with underlying severe pulmonary hypertension, who presented with intestinal obstruction managed with different perioperative approaches. In case 1, a 38-year-old man with Eisenmenger syndrome and severe pulmonary hypertension underwent exploratory laparotomy, right hemicolectomy, and double barrel stoma for obstructed right-sided colonic tumour. He passed away on Day 6 post-operation. In case 2, a 52-year-old man with Eisenmenger syndrome and severe pulmonary hypertension presented with obstructed rectosigmoid tumour and jejunojejunal intussusception and underwent exploratory laparotomy and Hartmann's procedure. He succumbed after 33 days of fighting with cardiovascular and respiratory complications. In case 3, a 65-year-old woman, with strangulated paraumbilical hernia, underwent mini laparotomy, small bowel resection, primary anastomosis, and paraumbilical hernia repair under monitored sedation and local anaesthesia. She was discharged home after 7 days of hospitalization.