Bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 K56.
ICD-9 560
DiseasesDB 15838
MedlinePlus 000260
MeSH D007415

Bowel obstruction (or intestinal obstruction) is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines, preventing the normal transit of the products of digestion. It can occur at any level distal to the duodenum of the small intestine and is a medical emergency. Although many cases are not treated surgically, it is a surgical problem.

Contents

Causes

Small bowel obstruction

Upright abdominal X-ray demonstrating a small bowel obstruction. Note multiple air fluid levels.
Upright abdominal X-ray demonstrating a small bowel obstruction. Note multiple air fluid levels.

Causes of small bowel obstruction include:

Large bowel obstruction

Upright abdominal X-ray of a patient with a large bowel obstruction showing multiple air fluid levels and dilated loops of bowel.

Causes of large bowel obstruction include:

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnoses of bowel obstruction include:

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.

According to a meta-analysis of prospective studies by the Cochrane Collaboration, the appearance of water-soluble contrast in the cecum on an abdominal radiograph within 24 hours of oral administration predicts resolution of an adhesive small bowel obstruction with a pooled sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 96%. PMID 15674958

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.

In adults, frequently the surgical intervention and the treatment of the causative lesion are required. In malignant large bowel obstruction, endoscopically placed self-expanding metal stents may be used to temporarily relieve the obstruction as a bridge to surgery, or as palliation.

Small bowel obstruction (SBO)

In the management of small bowel obstructions it is often said that "[n]ever let the sun rise or set on small-bowel obstruction"[1] because they are sometimes fatal if treatment is delayed. This traditional surgical canon is no longer followed, largely because of improvements in radiologic imaging of small bowel obstruction, which allow confident distinction between simple obstructions, that can be treated conservatively, and obstructions associated with surgical emergencies (volvulus, closed-loop obstructions, ischemic bowel, incarcerated hernias, etc.).

A small flexible tube may be inserted from the nose into the stomach to help decompress the dilated bowel. This tube is uncomfortable but does relieve the abdominal cramps, distension and vomiting. Intravenous therapy is utilized and the urine output is monitored with a catheter in the bladder. [2]

Most people with SBO are initially managed conservatively because in many cases, the bowel will open up. Some adhesions loosen up and the obstruction resolves. However, when conservative management is undertaken, the patient is examined several times a day and X rays are obtained to ensure that the individual is not getting clinically worse.[3]

Conservative treatment involves insertion of a nasogastric tube, correction of dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Opioid pain relievers may be used for patients with severe pain. Antiemetics may be administered if the patient is vomiting. Adhesive obstructions often settle without surgery. If obstruction is complete a surgery is required.

Most patients do improve with conservative care in 2-5 days. However, in some occasions, the cause of obstruction may be a cancer and in such cases, surgery is the only treatment. These individuals undergo surgery where the cause of SBO is removed. Individuals who have bowel resection or lysis of adhesions usually stay in the hospital a few more days until they are able to eat and walk. [4]

Small bowel obstruction caused by Crohn's disease, peritoneal carcinomatosis, sclerosing peritonitis, radiation enteritis and postpartum bowel obstruction are typically treated conservatively, i.e. without surgery. Conversely, a small bowel obstruction in a "virgin abdomen" (an abdomen that has not seen an operation) is almost never treated conservatively.

Prognosis for SBO

The prognosis for most cases of SBO is excellent. Most non cancerous causes of SBO do well. However, when cancer is the cause of SBO, patients are generally worked up to ensure that there has been no spread. If the cancer is localized to the small bowel, the patient will do well. If the cancer has spread, then the individual may require radiation or chemotherapy.

Bowel obstruction in children

Fetal and neonatal bowel obstructions 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 instances 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

References

  1. ↑ Maglinte DD, Kelvin FM, Rowe MG, Bender GN, Rouch DM (1 January 2001). "Small-bowel obstruction: optimizing radiologic investigation and nonsurgical management". Radiology 218 (1): 39–46. PMID 11152777. http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/218/1/39. 
  2. ↑ Small Bowel Obstruction overview Retrieved on February 19, 2010
  3. ↑ Small Bowel Obstruction:Treating Bowel Adhesions Non-Surgically Clear Passage treatment center online portal. Retrieved on 2010-02-19
  4. ↑ Small Bowel Obstruction The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. February 19, 2010

External links