Intestinal Obstruction for Anisakiasis: Surgical and Physical Therapy Treatment

Abstract

Anisakiasis, a zoonotic disease that can lead to small intestine obstruction, has seen a significant rise in Spain. The country has become the first in Europe with an annual incidence of 8000 cases, primarily due to the popularity of consuming exotic dishes of undercooked or raw fish and the impact of climate change. The clinical presentation of anisakiasis can mimic symptoms of acute appendicitis or intestinal obstruction, leading to potential misdiagnosis. This case report describes a 37-year-old patient with no significant medical history who presented abdominal distension and intense pain in the right lower quadrant. The patient underwent surgery and received physiotherapy treatment, including therapeutic exercises and pulsed-pressure myofascial vacuum therapy, to facilitate functional recovery. The increasing incidence of anisakiasis in Spain underscores the need to consider it in the differential diagnosis of digestive diseases, given the high consumption of poorly prepared or raw fish in the region.