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Updated: May 23, 2026
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A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Factors predicting need for and delay in surgery in small bowel obstruction
1Department of Surgery, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA. leunga@jwci.org
The American Surgeon
|April 5, 2012
Summary
Rapid diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO) is crucial for safe management. Factors like younger age and no prior surgery predict operative intervention, but imaging delays increase the risk of bowel resection.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Outcomes
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Effective management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) hinges on timely diagnosis and intervention.
- Identifying predictive factors for surgical necessity and operative delay is essential for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting the need for surgery in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO).
- To determine factors associated with delays in operative intervention for SBO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 872 patients diagnosed with SBO between 2003 and 2007.
- Statistical analysis including t-tests, Wilcoxon-rank-sum, and chi-squared tests to evaluate predictive factors and associations.
- Comparison of operative versus nonoperative management and analysis of factors influencing time to operating room (OR).
Main Results:
- 56.6% of patients underwent surgery for SBO; 43.4% were managed nonoperatively.
- Younger age, no prior surgery, and absence of adhesive disease were predictive of surgical intervention.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans and radiographs were associated with increased time to the OR.
- Delays in surgery (OR > 24 hours) correlated with a higher incidence of bowel resection (29% vs. 12%).
Conclusions:
- Identifying patients suitable for nonoperative management of SBO remains challenging.
- Delayed operative intervention for SBO increases the risk of complications, specifically bowel resection.
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