INCIDENCE, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTIONS

Abstract

Acute intestinal obstruction was and continues to be one of the most common causes requiring hospitalization and emergency surgical consultation. Although often considered a "benign disease," intestinal obstruction can be a serious condition, as its complications can include life-threatening clinical presentations, such as colonic ischemia or intestinal perforation. Mechanical internal luminal blockage or external compression are the causes of large bowel obstruction. A complete blood count and metabolic panel must be performed in patients with suspected laboratory blockage. Patients with simple emesis may develop hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Dryness is associated with higher levels of blood urea nitrogen, as well as increased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit. It is possible that the number of white blood cells will increase. When the forward movement of intestinal contents is interrupted, acute intestinal obstruction occurs. Intestinal obstructions are usually classified based on the location of the large intestine, so they can be differentiated into small bowel obstructions or large bowel obstructions. Although any surgical procedure can predispose to the formation of adhesions, interventions in the lower abdomen or pelvic areas are those that are more often complicated by the development of adhesive bands, especially if the peritoneal cavity is contaminated with intestinal fluids or purulent collections. Typical manifestations in patients with small bowel obstructions include abdominal distension, vomiting, and cramping abdominal pain. This disorder can occur anywhere along the length of the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, patients with large bowel obstructions usually present with abdominal pain, distension, and constipation, while vomiting is less common and usually occurs late. The severity of the presentation and characteristics of vomiting in patients with small bowel obstructions and patients with large bowel obstructions may vary depending on the location and extent of the obstruction. Treatment of intestinal obstruction focuses on reversing the physiologic changes caused by the obstruction, resting the colon, and eliminating the source of the obstruction. The purpose of this paper is to learn more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal obstruction.