ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to find out the of aetiological factors of mechanical intestinal obstruction and to evaluate the morbidity and mortality in these patients. This study involved 120 patients operated for mechanical intestinal obstruction over a period of 18 months [July 96 - Dec 97] at SP Hospital, Quetta. The diagnosis of obstruction was established on the basis of history, clinical findings, radiological investigations and confirmed by exploration of abdoman. External strangulated hernia was the commonest cause in 34 percent of patients followed by volvulus of colon in 21.7 percent and abdominal tuberculosis in 20.7 percent. Other causes were adhesions and bands, malignancy, intussusception etc. Out of these, 47.5 percent were having simple mechanical obstruction, while 52.5 percent presented with strangulation. Twenty-nine patients developed complications, mainly chest complications and wound problems. The mortality rate was 6.6 percent. The cause of death was malignancy and strangulation of bowel. In our opinion the periodic studies are essential as feed back to health authorities, to evaluate the changing pattern of disease and to focus attention on the appearance of problem and its possible solution