Recurrent abdominal pain from abdominal adhesions in an endurance triathlete

Abstract

Abdominal adhesions have been described as developing postoperatively and as developing "spontaneously" in patients over 60 yr old. To our knowledge, abdominal adhesions have not been described as an etiology of recurrent abdominal pain in young endurance athletes, without prior history of abdominal surgery. We present a 28-yr-old endurance triathlete with recurrent abdominal pain in which multiple diagnostic imaging studies were unable to diagnose the etiology. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed adhesions between the ascending colon and the anterior abdominal wall. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed successfully and the athlete resumed his training several weeks post-laparoscopy without symptoms. One year later, the athlete remains pain free.