Bowel herniation after traumatic symphysis pubis diastasis.

The authors describe a patient with small bowel herniation after traumatic symphysis disruption. Although gastrointestinal problems occur rarely with pelvic fractures, in a patient with a pubic diastasis and paralytic ileus, the development of abdominal hernia through torn peritoneum should be considered. Treatment of the patient with a pubic diastasis and a bowel problem should include early careful exploration and management of the gastrointestinal tract during pelvic surgery.