Scribd
Upload
180 views

Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents contents from passing through. It can be caused by mechanical issues like adhesions, tumors, or foreign bodies, or by paralytic ileus where the bowel does not work correctly. Symptoms include abdominal pain, distention, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea. Diagnosis involves imaging tests and listening for bowel sounds. Treatment may involve placing a tube to relieve symptoms, while surgery is needed if tissue death is occurring or the tube does not help. Complications can include infections if the blockage prevents blood supply to the intestine.

Uploaded by

Farhan Nissa
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
180 views

Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents contents from passing through. It can be caused by mechanical issues like adhesions, tumors, or foreign bodies, or by paralytic ileus where the bowel does not work correctly. Symptoms include abdominal pain, distention, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea. Diagnosis involves imaging tests and listening for bowel sounds. Treatment may involve placing a tube to relieve symptoms, while surgery is needed if tissue death is occurring or the tube does not help. Complications can include infections if the blockage prevents blood supply to the intestine.

Uploaded by

Farhan Nissa
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that results in the failure of
the intestinal contents to pass through.

Causes
Obstruction of the bowel may due to:

 A mechanical cause, which simply means something is in the way


 Ileus, a condition in which the bowel doesn't work correctly but there is no structural
problem

Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction
in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:

 Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral disturbances (such as decreased potassium levels)


 Complications of intra-abdominal surgery
 Decreased blood supply to the abdominal area (mesenteric artery ischemia)
 Injury to the abdominal blood supply
 Intra-abdominal infection
 Kidney or lung disease
 Use of certain medications, especially narcotics

In older children, paralytic ileus may be due to bacterial, viral, or food poisoning
(gastroenteritis), which is sometimes associated with secondary peritonitis and appendicitis.

Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:

 Abnormal tissue growth


 Adhesions or scar tissue that form after surgery
 Foreign bodies (ingested materials that obstruct the intestines)
 Gallstones
 Hernias
 Impacted feces (stool)
 Intussusception
 Tumors blocking the intestines
 Volvulus (twisted intestine)

Symptoms
 Abdominal distention
 Abdominal fullness, gas
 Abdominal pain and cramping
 Breath odor
 Constipation
 Diarrhea
 Vomiting

Exams and Tests


While listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope, your health care provider may hear high-
pitched bowel sounds at the onset of mechanical obstruction. If the obstruction has persisted for
too long or the bowel has been significantly damaged, bowel sounds decrease, eventually
becoming silent.

Early paralytic ileus is marked by decreased or absent bowel sounds.

Tests that show obstruction include:

 Abdominal CT scan
 Abdominal x-ray
 Barium enema
 Upper GI and small bowel series

Treatment
Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine to help relieve
abdominal distention and vomiting.

Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if
there are signs of tissue death.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome varies with the cause of the obstruction.

Possible Complications
Complications may include or may lead to:

 Electrolyte imbalances
 Infection
 Jaundice
 Perforation (hole) in the intestine

If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, the tissue may die, causing infection
and gangrene. Risk factors for tissue death include intestinal cancer, Crohn's disease, hernia, and
previous abdominal surgery.

In the newborn, paralytic ileus that is associated with destruction of the bowel wall (necrotizing
enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.

When to Contact a Medical Professional


Call your health care provider if persistent abdominal distention develops and you are unable to
pass stool or gas, or if other symptoms of intestinal obstruction develop.

Prevention
Prevention depends on the cause. Treatment of conditions (such as tumors and hernias) that are
related to obstruction may reduce your risk.

Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented.

Alternative Names
Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal;
Colonic ileus

References
Evers BM. Small intestine. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds.
Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 48.

Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM,
Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis,
Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 50.

Update Date: 6/29/2010


Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center,
Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.

You might also like