Possible development of idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis

We report a rare case of idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP). During a laparotomy before undergoing a distal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction for early gastric cancer, the patient was found to have a membranous encapsulation wrapping each small bowel loop, unlike peritoneal encapsulation or typical SEP. He had complained of persistent heartburn, distension and diarrhea for 2 months in the post-operative course. The second laparotomy, which was performed to improve prolonged transit, revealed typical SEP with a thick and fibrotic membrane that encased the small bowel entirely. Stripping of the sclerosing encasing membrane, separation of the adherent loops of the proximal small bowel, and Braun's anastomosis were performed. The patient complained of epigastric fullness and diarrhea after he was relieved from the complete bowel obstruction for 45 days post-operatively. Trimebutine maleate was administrated 5 months after the second operation and this markedly improved his symptoms. This case might reflect the developmental process of idiopathic SEP. In addition, the use of a motility regulator may improve symptoms related to the abnormal intestinal motility by this disease.