Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:33
A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Subacute intestinal obstruction: an enigma revisited
Bhupendra Kumar Jain1, Juhi Agrawal, Vinita Rathi
1Department of Surgery, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India. bhupendrakjain@gmail.com
Tropical Doctor
|April 4, 2013
Summary
Subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) often requires intervention, but conservative treatment can be effective, especially without prior abdominal surgery. Advanced imaging like CECT scans and laparoscopy are crucial for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) is a significant clinical challenge.
- Recurrent symptoms are common in SAIO patients.
- Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various imaging modalities for SAIO.
- To determine the common causes and sites of SAIO.
- To identify predictors for successful conservative management of SAIO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 63 SAIO patients.
- Assessment of clinical signs and symptoms.
- Evaluation of ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), and diagnostic laparoscopy accuracy.
- Analysis of surgical and conservative treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Ileum was the most common obstruction site (79.5%).
- Adhesions (31.8%) and strictures (27.2%) were leading causes; tuberculosis was found in 52.2%.
- CECT and diagnostic laparoscopy showed 100% accuracy; ultrasonography was 57.1% accurate.
- Previous abdominal surgery predicted successful conservative treatment (13/19 vs. 7/44).
Conclusions:
- CECT and diagnostic laparoscopy are highly accurate for diagnosing SAIO causes.
- Conservative management success in SAIO is linked to the absence of prior abdominal surgery.
- Further investigation with CECT/laparoscopy is recommended for SAIO patients responding to conservative treatment without surgical history; laparotomy is an alternative if these are unavailable.
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