RESUMO
This study was a trial to predict which has to be done, to give a chance for conservative treatment or to operate immediately in patients presented with post-appendectomy adhesive intestinal obstruction. This is a hospital based retrospective study. The files of patients admitted to the Suez Canal University Hospital for adhesive intestinal obstruction from 1996 to 2006 were retrieved and studies. Fifty seven patients with post-appendectomy adhesive small intestinal obstruction were admitted in that period. Forty nine [86%] patients were operated upon; forty one of them [83.7%] had complete obstruction with single band adhesion, twenty seven [55%] patients had complicated obstruction needed intestinal resection, the other 22 [45%] patients had simple adhesiolysis. Eight [14%] patients improved with conservative treatment. No mortalities were encountered but 20 [74%] patients of those who had intestinal resection developed significant postoperative wound infection. Post-appendectomy adhesive small intestinal obstruction is a serious, unpredictable complication. It is usually complete obstruction caused by tight single band adhesion with unexpected spontaneous resolution. Early operative intervention is recommended strongly with post-appendectomy adhesive intestinal obstruction. Clinical assessment is of weak value in differentiating between simple and complicated obstruction