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...
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