Bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction is a mechanical blockage of the intestines, preventing the normal transit of the products of digestion. It can occur at any level in the digestive tract, and is a medical emergency. Although many cases are not treated surgically, it is a surgical problem.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowel_obstruction
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Causes

Small bowel obstruction
Causes of small bowel obstruction include:
Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery
Hernias containing bowel
Neoplasms, benign or malignant
Inflammatory bowel disease causing adhesions or inflammatory strictures
Intussusception in children
Volvulus
Malrotation in infants
Ischaemic strictures
Foreign bodies (e.g. gallstones in gallstone ileus, swallowed objects)
Intestinal atresia

Large bowel obstruction
Causes of large bowel obstruction include:
Neoplasms
Hernias
Inflammatory bowel disease
Sigmoid or caecal volvulus
Faecal impaction
Colon atresia

Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnoses of bowel obstruction include:
Ileus
Pseudo-obstruction or Ogilvie's syndrome
Intra-abdominal sepsis
Pneumonia or other systemic illness.

Signs, symptoms and causes
Depending on the level of obstruction, bowel obstruction can present with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, fecal vomiting, and constipation.
Obstruction may be due to causes within the bowel lumen, within the wall of the bowel, or external to the bowel (such as compression, entrapment or volvulus).
Bowel obstruction may be complicated by dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities due to vomiting; respiratory compromise from pressure on the diaphragm by a distended abdomen, or aspiration of vomitus; bowel ischaemia or perforation from prolonged distension or pressure from a foreign body.
In small bowel obstruction the pain tends to be colicky (cramping and intermittent) in nature, with spasms lasting a few minutes. The pain tends to be central and mid-abdominal. Vomiting occurs before constipation.
In large bowel obstruction the pain is felt lower in the abdomen and the spasms last longer. Constipation occurs earlier and vomiting may be less prominent. Proximal obstruction of the large bowel may present as small bowel obstruction.

Diagnosis
The main diagnostic tools are blood tests, X-rays of the abdomen, CT scanning and/or ultrasound. If a mass is identified, biopsy may determine the nature of the mass.
Radiological signs of bowel obstruction include bowel distension and the presence of multiple (more than six) gas-fluid levels on supine and erect abdominal radiographs.
Contrast enema or small bowel series or CT scan can be used to define the level of obstruction, whether the obstruction is partial or complete, and to help define the cause of the obstruction. Colonoscopy, small bowel investigation with ingested camera or push endoscopy, and laparoscopy are other diagnostic options.

Treatment
Some causes of bowel obstruction may resolve spontaneously; many require operative treatment.
Treatment for a small bowel obstruction can involve insertion of a nasogastric tube, correction of dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities, and treating the cause of the obstruction. Adhesive obstructions often settle without surgery, but if prolonged may require surgical intervention.
Fetal and neonatal bowel obstuctions are often caused by an intestinal atresia where there is a narrowing or absence of a part of the intestine. These atresias are often discovered before birth via a sonogram and treated with using laparotomy after birth. If the area affected is small then the surgeon may be able to remove the damaged portion and join the intestine back together. In instantances where the narrowing is longer, or the area is damaged and cannot be used for a period of time, a temporary stoma may be placed.

See also
Ileus

External links
eMedicine emerg/66
eMedicine emerg/65
UCSF Fetal Treatment Center: Bowel Obstructions