1. Introduction
60% of small bowel obstructions are due to bands or adhesions.
These adhesions are:
- secondary to previous abdominal surgery (90% of cases);
- spontaneous (4%);
- secondary to a condition affecting adjacent organs (3%);
- due to Meckel’s diverticulum (2%).
Acute obstruction of the small bowel is a surgical emergency whose severity depends on electrolyte and fluid imbalances induced by third spacing and on the presence of ischemic injuries of the small bowel which may be non reversible.
Etiology
A) Simple mechanical obstruction
Extrinsic obstruction: bands or adhesions; extrinsic masses: neoplasm, abscess.
Intrinsic obstruction: intraluminal: bile stone, bezoar, foreign body in the wall of the small bowel: tumor, hematoma, Crohn’s disease, ischemic stenosis
B) Strangulation obstruction
- volvulus: primary or over a band,
- strangulated hernias: external (eg, inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional); internal congenital (eg, paraduodenal, paracecal) or acquired (defects in peritoneal coverage).
C) Mechanical obstruction by intussusception
- tumor of the small bowel, Meckel’s diverticulum, lymphoid hyperplasia.
D) Paralytic ileus (due to alteration in intestinal motility)
Local origin: sepsis and intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal inflammatory processes, ureterohydronephrosis, retroperitoneal trauma, hemoperitoneum, vascular condition, etc.
General origin: metabolic (hypokalemia), drug-induced (opiates, antidepressants, anticholinergic agents).
Pathophysiologic consequences
- dehydration, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances: due to loss of fluids (vomiting, nasogastric intubation and suction) and formation of a third spacing of fluids in the obstructed lumen (filled with water, electrolytes and proteins);
- intestinal ischemia: following a volvulus, strangulation or massive distention of the small bowel;
- microbial proliferation in the intestinal lumen after the obstruction.
Diagnosis of acute small bowel obstruction
In addition to clinical examinations, certain radiological investigations may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis of acute small bowel obstruction, determine its place of onset and its cause:
- plain abdominal radiographs;
- CT scan;
- water-soluble enema;
- follow-through examination of the small bowel;
- ultrasound. |