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Intestinal obstruction


Mechanical obstruction of the bowel may be simple (one-point obstruction) or closed loop (obstruction at two points enclosing a segment of bowel). If the bowel is viable, the obstruction is termed non-strangulating. If the arterial blood supply is compromised, strangulating obstruction occurs with subsequent infarction of the bowel. Intestinal obstruction is a common surgical emergency.

Causes

Small bowel

In the lumen

  • ●

    Gallstone ileus

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    Food bolus (after pylorus-destroying or bypass surgery)

In the wall

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    Crohn’s disease

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    Atresia

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    TB • (common in areas of the world where TB is endemic)

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    Tumour, e.g. lymphoma, carcinoma

Outside the wall

  • ●

    Hernia

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    Adhesions

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    Volvulus

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    Intussusception

Large bowel

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