Intestinal Obstruction

Blockage of intraluminal contents from normal intestinal transport due to intrinsic, extrinsic or endoluminal lesions

This blockage can be partial or complete. It can be the result of...

Abdominal pain:

• Diffuse

• Poorly localized cramping generally at intervals of 5 to 15 minutes

Abdominal distention:

• More common with distal obstructions

Emesis:

• Usually occurs immediately aft...

Inpatient management generally recommended

The key is early recognition of patients who need urgent surgical intervention and those who can be managed conservatively.

Clinically stable patient...

Daily monitoring with series abdominal exams in hospital

Postoperative outpatient follow-up in 1 to 2 weeks

K56.60 Unspecified intestinal obstruction

K56.41 Fecal impaction

K56.69 Other intestinal obstruction

Q41.9 Congen absence, atresia and stenosis of sm int, part unsp

K56.49 Other impaction of in...

Clinical history and plain films establish the diagnosis of bowel obstruction in most cases.

15–20% of patients with colorectal cancer present with colonic obstruction.

Initial managemen...