Current pattern of mechanical intestinal obstruction in adults

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the current pattern of mechanical bowel obstruction in adults. Descriptive case series. Surgical unit III and IV Bolan medical college/ complex hospital Quetta, from June 2007 to July 2009. The criteria for diagnosis were on the basis of history, clinical findings, radiological examination, exploration of abdomen and histopathological confirmation in selected cases. A total of 252 surgically treated cases of mechanical bowel obstruction were included. Out of the total, 187 [74.2%] presented with acute and 65 [25.8%] with sub-acute intestinal obstruction. The mean age was 37.4 years with male to female ratio of 21. Abdominal tuberculosis was found in 77 [30.6%] patients. Among the other causes bands/adhesions were found in 57 patients [22.6%] and obstructed hernias in 44 patients [17.5%]. In 161 patients [64%] the intestinal obstruction was without gut compromise, while in 91 patients [36% strangulated bowel obstruction was present. Forty patients [15.9%] developed postoperative complications mainly wound sepsis and chest problems in the form of atelectasis and pneumonia. The mortality rate was 2.4% [n 6]