James Zeng
Bowel Obstruction A blockage of bowel lumen prohibiting the passage of materials[1] 8% of abdo pain in ED (3 rd leading cause)[2] 24% require surgery[3] 300,000 admissions, 800,000 in-pt days, $1.3bil[4]
Causes Extrinsic (extraluminal) Intrinsic (luminal) Intraluminal
Extrinsic Causes Adhesions Hernias Volvulus
Intrinsic Neoplastic Inflammatory Congenital
Intraluminal Faeces Gallstones Intussception Bezoar
Bowel Obstruction Small v. Large Acute v. subacute
Differential Paralytic -ileus Pseudo-obstruction Constipation
Diagnosis Clinical Radiological
Symptoms Pain Distension Obstructive symptoms Vomiting Inability to pass motions/slowing Inability to pass flatus
Past history Past abdominal surgery Past obstructions Hernias Crohn’s Malignancy
Signs Volume status Scars, volume Guarding, peritonitis “Tinkling” bowel sounds, no BS Hernias PR
Investigations Abdo pain bloods Lactate
Radiology (AxR)
Large bowel obs
Radiology (AxR) Size Walls Distal collapse Empty rectum
Radiology (AxR) SmallLarge Central Smaller calibre Valvulae coniventes More loops Long fluid levels Peripheral Larger calibre Haustra 1-2 loops Short fluid levels
Radiology (CT) Inconclusive XR Systemically unwell, local peritonitis Helps to determine cause >2.5cm with distal collapse High accuracy
Conservative Management Fluids NBM Analgesia NG tube
Complications Electrolytes
Specific Management Adhesions - conservative ± gastrograffin Perforation, hernia – urgent theatre Strictures, colitis – surgical resection Sigmoid volvulus – rectal tube Beware of ischaemia – test intraoperatively
Obstruction in Cancer Patients Various opinions Depends on when last operation was Trial of conservative treatment Gastrograffin/CT Consider early resection, stent+resection Non-operative candidates
References Lewis LM et al. Etiology and clinical course of abdominal pain in senior patients: a prospective, multicenter study. Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci :8 (1071-6). 3. Foster NM; McGory ML; Zingmond DS; Ko CY. Small bowel obstruction: a population-based appraisal. J Am Coll Surg :2 (170-6). 4. Ray NF; Denton WG; Thamer M; Henderson SC; Perry S. Abdominal adhesiolysis: inpatient care and expenditures in the United States in J Am Coll Surg :1 (1- 9).