Intestinal Obstruction

Blockage of material from transiting the intestine

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

Consider intestinal obstruction in...

Abdominal pain:

• Diffuse

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

Abdominal distention:

• More common with distal obstructions

Emesis:

• Usually occurs immediate...

Inpatient management generally recommended

Clinically stable patients may be treated conservatively with bowel rest, nasogastric suction, and IV fluid resuscitation. Use opioids with caution.

...

Daily monitoring in hospital

Postoperative outpatient follow-up in 1 to 2 weeks

Arung W, Meurisse M, Detry O. Pathophysiology and prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions. World J Gastroenterol.  2011;17(41):4545–4553. [View Abstract on OvidMedline...

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 in most cases.

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

Initial management involves early surg...