Evaluation of etiopathological factors of intestinal obstruction and methods of prevention in a tertiary care hospital

Intestinal obstruction is an emergency condition which when unrelieved at the earliest will lead to strangulation and gangrene of the bowel. The aim of this study was to find the various causes for small intestinal obstruction and methods of prevention. About 303 cases of intestinal obstruction were recorded and studied regarding the type and cause of small bowel obstruction in a tertiary care hospital. All the cases of intestinal obstruction presenting to emergency and outpatient department were admitted, excluding neonatal and paediatric cases. After initial resuscitation, patients were evaluated for the cause of obstruction, by plain X-ray abdomen and CT scan abdomen. There were 206 cases of small bowel obstruction, with 155 cases due to post operative adhesions, hysterectomy being most common earlier operation. History of multiple operations was present In 35 cases. 18 cases were managed conservatively. Diagnostic lap could be done in11 cases with adhesiolysis. Resection and anastomosis was done in 89 cases. The mortality rate was 12.5 %.morbidity was 44% cumulatively.