Causes and Complications of Intestinal Obstruction

Sittara, Mazhar Iqbal, Sumeet, Hadees, Beenish Khan, Resham Ali

Abstract

Objective

To determine the causes and complications of surgery in patients presenting with intestinal obstruction.

Study design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Place & Duration of study

Department of General Surgery Ward-II, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) Karachi, from January 2023 to February 2024.

Methods

All patients diagnosed as having intestinal obstruction on clinical grounds and operated, were included in the study. Patients with intestinal obstruction, who were treated conservatively, were excluded as were those who had peritonitis at laparotomy without obstruction. Operative findings and histopathological findings were recorded. Data were presented as frequency and percentages with the confidence interval.

Results

A total of 97 patients were included. There were 47 (48.4%) males and 50  (51.6%) females. The age of the patients was from 13 years to 80 years. The common causes of intestinal obstruction were tuberculosis (n=28 - 28.86%), adhesions (n= 22 - 22.68%), and rectal carcinoma (n=13 - 13.4%). Six (6.18%) patients developed complications of whom two (2.06%) expired. Complications included wound infection (n=2 - 2.06%), wound dehiscence (n=1 - 1.03%), and burst abdomen (n=1 - 1.03%).

Conclusion

The leading cause of intestinal obstruction was tuberculosis followed by bowel adhesions. Complications were infrequent. However, there was a definite morbidity and mortality associated with the intestinal obstruction.

Key words

Tuberculosis, Adhesions, Obstructed hernia, Carcinoma colon, Intestinal obstruction, Burst abdomen.