Small bowel obstructions are usually caused by scar tissue, hernia, or cancer. In the United States, most obstructions occur as a result of prior surgeries. The bowel often forms bands of scar (called adhesions) after being handled during an operation.
Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency due to mechanical blockage of the bowel. Though it can be caused by many pathologic processes, the leading cause in the developed world is intra-abdominal adhesions.
Hernias are the second most common cause of small bowel obstruction in the United States. Inflammatory disease: Inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease or diverticulitis can damage parts of the small intestine.
The most common cause of small-bowel obstruction (SBO) in developed countries is intra-abdominal adhesions, accounting for approximately 65% to 75% of cases.
Sometimes, by releasing the pressure from inside the intestines, the blockage releases on its own. Many people, especially those with a partial SBO, will not need any other treatment. That's because, many times, an SBO gets better on its own, with bowel rest and decompression.
Initial management should always include an assessment of the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation. If resuscitation is required, it should be performed with isotonic saline and electrolyte replacement.
Both management strategies leave intra-abdominal adhesions, which could result in recurrence of aSBO. Recurrence is common, occurring in approximately 20% of patients.
A bowel obstruction can begin suddenly or may progress gradually over several weeks or days. 2 Before a complete bowel obstruction develops, you may experience some warning signs caused by a partial bowel obstruction. Symptoms that often precede a partial or complete bowel obstruction include: Decreased appetite.
A bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes.
Avoid any food that is tough or stringy (e.g. tough gristly meat). Some people find they need to have soft/puree foods to limit symptoms.
7). Conclusions: The long-term risk of recurrent small-bowel obstruction is high. The risk is lessened by operation but not eliminated. The risk of recurrence increases with longer duration of follow-up, but most recurrences occur within 4 years.
The average person can dramatically lower their risk of developing an obstruction by eating enough fiber, keeping active, and staying hydrated.
Bowel obstruction from food items usually happen in people with poor gastrointestinal motility, Guillian-barre syndrome, hypothyroidism and fast eaters [4,5,6]. Food items that have been reported to cause obstruction include dried fruits, apricot, persimmon, coconut and raw banana [5,7,10].
If a part of the intestine becomes twisted, blood flow to that portion may be reduced, and the blocked part may die. This is a very serious condition. Another serious condition can occur in which the intestine ruptures, leaking contents into the bowel cavity. This causes an infection known as peritonitis.
Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are: Severe pain in your belly. Severe cramping sensations in your belly. Throwing up.
Bowel Obstruction Symptoms
Signs of an intestinal blockage will depend on how severe the obstruction is. But it almost always comes with belly pain, usually around your belly button, and cramping. Other signs include: Constipation.
An intestinal obstruction is painful and potentially dangerous, and typically requires hospital care. However, you won't necessarily need surgery. Many blockages can be resolved with a non-invasive procedure, and patients often never have a recurrence.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have a large bowel obstruction? Most people with large bowel obstructions improve after treatment. Their bowels start to function again. If an obstruction causes a rupture, the condition can be life-threatening.
Try to take a short walk every day to help your bowels move. Take bowel medications as advised by your doctor to promote regular and easy to pass bowel movements (see page 8).
You will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. You may have to stay longer if your surgery was an emergency operation. You also may need to stay longer if a large amount of your small intestine was removed or you develop problems. By the second or third day, you will most likely be able to drink clear liquids.
Most bowel obstructions are partial blockages that get better on their own. The NG tube may help the bowel become unblocked when fluids and gas are removed. Some people may need more treatment. These treatments include using liquids or air (enemas) or small mesh tubes (stents) to open up the blockage.