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Published on: March 5, 2018
Aetiological factors in mechanical intestinal obstruction
Shawana Asad1, Hafizullah Khan, Ishtiaq Ali Khan
1Department of Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. dr_shawana@yahoo.com
Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC
|January 1, 2013
Summary
Mechanical intestinal obstruction in adults is most commonly caused by adhesions and tuberculosis in Pakistan. While some cases resolve with conservative treatment, many require urgent surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Intestinal obstruction disrupts the normal flow of intestinal contents.
- Common causes include postoperative adhesions and hernias leading to extrinsic compression.
- Less frequent causes are intrinsic blockages from tumors or strictures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify etiological factors of mechanical intestinal obstruction.
- To evaluate morbidity and mortality in adult patients with mechanical intestinal obstruction.
- Study conducted at Surgical 'A' unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted from March to September 2009.
- Included adult patients (≥12 years) with intestinal obstruction.
- Excluded non-mechanical obstruction and conservatively managed cases.
Main Results:
- 36 adult patients treated for mechanical intestinal obstruction (age 12-80).
- Adhesions (36.1%) were the most frequent cause, followed by intestinal tuberculosis (19.4%).
- Hernias and sigmoid volvulus each accounted for 13.9%, and malignancies for 5.6%.
Conclusions:
- Adhesions and intestinal tuberculosis are primary causes of mechanical intestinal obstruction in Pakistan.
- Immediate surgical intervention is necessary for a significant proportion of patients.
- Conservative treatment is effective for some cases.
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