Unusual Anastomotic Failure in Patients with COVID-19: A Case Report of 2 Patients

A newly appeared challenge for the healthcare system is the variety of clinical symptoms of COVID-19. In this research, we report 2 cases admitted to Modarres Hospital with unusual postoperative anastomotic failure.

In a 72-year-oldman with a perforated peptic ulcer in D2 and signs of leakage after the first operation and during the second operation due to massive unexpected hemorrhage, we found fully disrupted anastomosis on the second part of the duodenum. Accordingly, the suture ligature of the bleeding ulcer with the closure of the duodenal stump and loop gastrojejunostomy and tube duodenostomy were performed. During the postoperative period, he developed dyspnea, and the diagnostic test of SARSCoV-2 confirmed him as a case of COVID-19. Unfortunately, 1 week after the second surgery, evidence of anastomotic leakage appeared again by bile discharge from drains; although it was managed conservatively, he died because of respiratory failure. In another case, a 65-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency ward with closed-loop small bowel obstruction. After emergency laparotomy, resection of ischemic bowel with primary anastomosis was performed. The same as the previous case, she developed dyspnea, and the diagnostic test resulted positive for COVID-19. After 2 weeks, she was admitted to the hospital with signs of anastomotic leakage that was subsequently confirmed by abdominal computed tomography (CT); although it was managed conservatively, she died because of respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

These cases were unique in that intestinal microangiopathies can cause very severe problems, weaken the body, and eventually death, as we have seen in these 2 cases.