A retrospective study of acute intestinal obstruction and its management in our institution

Background: Intestinal obstruction is one of the most frequently encountered problems in surgical emergency. Intestinal obstruction is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality Aim: Acute intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies. The objective of this paper was to identify various causes of intestinal obstruction, mode of presentation, hemodynamic status, importance of early intervention and importance of viral markers in emergency procedures. Influence of factors like age, sex, previous surgeries in the pathogenesis of intestinal obstruction and complications in acute intestinal obstruction were also discussed. Materials and methods: The materials for our retrospective study of acute intestinal obstruction were collected from the medical record department of various surgical units in department of general surgery, Stanley medical college. Totally 50 cases were taken for this study with exclusion of age less than 12 years (Pediatric age group). The study was divided into clinical presentation, investigation, management and complications. The results were analyzed based on the following factors like age, sex, symptoms, signs, investigation, probable causative factor, operative findings, procedure and complications. Results: The study group consists of 50 cases of acute intestinal obstruction in adult age group from 12 years. The common age group was 31-40, common sex was female, commonest cause of acute intestinal obstruction in this study was post operative adhesions (48%) followed by obstructed hernia (18%). The other causes are malignancy (10%), ileo-caecal tuberculosis (8%), intussuception(6%), volvulous (4%), mesenteric ischemia (4%), meckel’s band obstruction (2%). Conclusion: Our study observed still post operative adhesions is the most common cause of acute intestinal obstruction followed by obstructed hernia. The success in the treatment of intestinal obstruction depends upon early diagnosis and early intervention as well as the patients’ hemodynamic status. Lastly this study highlights the importance of using universal precaution in the emergency setting because of the ever increasing number of HIV and HBsAg in our country.