RESUMO
Introduction: Adult mechanical intestinal obstruction(AMIO) is a frequent challenge to most practicing generalsurgeons, Contemporary literature review suggests a changein the pattern of causes with bands and adhesions now beingthe commonest cause in some reports. Delta state universityteaching hospital (DELSUTH) is a state-owned tertiary healthfacility in Delta State, Nigeria.This study aims to highlight theaetiological pattern of AMIO in DELSUTH and its associatedmorbidity and mortality.Material and Methods: All adult patients with clinical andradiological evidence of mechanical intestinal obstructionwere prospectively studied over a 32 months period.Result: 65 consecutive adult patients with AMIO were studiedwhich constitutes 22% of all admitted surgical emergenciesseen in our services. Female: Male ratio 1.8:1, Age range was16 to 100 years and mean age 42.5 years. Post operative bandsand adhesions was the commonest cause of AMIO (46.1%).The commonest clinical presentation was abdominal pain(95.4%) and 56.9% of patients had a previous abdominalsurgical scar. Obstetric and gynaecological operations werethe most common cause of bands and adhesions (46.7%) nextwas appendectomies (23.3%). Non operative managementfor band and adhesions was successful in 53.3% and meanduration for symptom resolution was 4 days. Commonestcomplication was superficial surgical site infection (16%).mortality rate was 15.3%.Conclusion: Bands and adhesions are the commonestcause of AMIO in DELSUTH and are related to Obstetric/gynaecological operations and open appendectomies. Thisdiffers from previous studies in developing countries whereobstructed hernia was the dominant cause.