Pattern of dynamic intestinal obstruction in adults

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the causes of dynamic intestinal obstruction at PIMS Islamabad. Material and This was a prospective study of 75 consecutive cases of dynamic intestinal obstruction, conducted in department of surgery at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from 1st August 1998 to 31st December 1999. Those patients who improved with conservative treatment and did not undergo laparatomy were excluded from the study. All patients who underwent laparatomy for management of their disease were included. Laparatomy findings were recorded and where necessary specimen was taken for histopathology for confirmation of final diagnosis. In this study of 75 cases, 100% patients presented with pain and distension of abdomen, other symptoms were less in frequency. Males were 38 and females were 37 with male to female ratio of 1.011. Tuberculosis was the leading cause of [36%] dynamic intestinal obstruction followed by carcinoma of the large gut and postoperative adhesions. Only two patients had small bowl malignancy and intessusception, and one patient was with meckle's diverticulum. Tuberculosis is emerging as a leading cause of dynamic intestinal obstruction. Therefore it is time to run more efficiently the tuberculosis control programme in Pakistan, before it is too late