Intestinal Obstruction

A female adult patient with learning difficulties presented with abdominal pain. She was particularly difficult to assess as she was not able to express herself well and was agitated by pain and the need for hospitalization on board. She was traveling with two carers, one of whom was able to stay with her at all times to offer comfort. Abdominal examination, blood electrolytes and abdominal x-rays were suggestive of large bowel obstruction. The patient was stabilised with IV fluids, analgesia, antibiotics and nasogastric suction. Her pain settled and she was landed to a shoreside hospital for further investigation and treatment.