Abstract
Ehlers-Danlos is a hereditary disease of the whole connective tissue initially described by dermatologists (Tscherchnogobov Moscow 1892, Ehlers, Copenhagen, 1900, Danlos, Paris, 1908). They emphasized the joint hyperlaxity and stretchiness of the skin which has long summed up the clinical expression of this entity. In recent decades, many other manifestations have been described and gradually identified, mainly by rheumatologists (Grahame, London, 1960). Several of them concern the digestive tract, mainly gastric reflux and constipation. They can be the cause of serious accidents: bronchial flooding by gastric reflux or aspiration, intestinal obstruction, hernial constriction, eventration, intestinal rupture, peritonitis of vesicular or appendicular origin, hemorrhages. It is important that gastroenterologists know how to link these manifestations to their etiology in order to adapt treatments, prevent iatrogenic accidents and direct the patients towards the treatment of other manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos disease. Nine clinical signs, including digestive manifestations, allow diagnosis by their significant grouping. The proof of hereditary origin is based on the identification of other identical cases in the family,, even if they are paucisymptomatic. A person affected by the disease systematically transmits the disease to all his children. We have verified this in all our patients.