[Intestinal obstruction caused by postoperative adhesion. 79 cases]

The intestinal post-operative bridle represents the third most important etiology of obstructions at the clinic of the University Hospital of Dakar, behind hernia strangulations and the volvulus of the digestive tube. Between 1970 and 1989, a retrospective study has led to a sample of 79 patients with post-operative bridle obstructions. The group was made of 47 women and 32 men between 17 and 84 years of age. Stomach ache was by far the most common functional symptomatology, followed by the stoppage of the transit and vomiting. In most cases palpation revealed the presence of tympanism. For almost all the patients, the abdomen without preparation revealed either a hydroaeric level or a diffuse grey area. The initial intervention concerned mainly gynecological affections or pathologies of appendicular type. The resection of the bridles was carried out in most cases. There were 10 deaths. The intestinal obstructions by post-operative bridles continue to be a surgical emergency still characterized by a high mortality rate. The late consultation of the patients, often received when presenting considerable visceral deficiency, is one of the main causes of the high rate of fatalities.