Patterns of mechanical obstruction of the small bowel in Nigeria

One hundred sixty-one patients with mechanical small bowel obstruction were treated within 2 years at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. The various causes of obstruction fairly typify the patterns of mechanical small bowel obstruction in Nigeria, except for slight differences in some parts of the country. The fairly high mortality rate reflects the difficulties encountered in management of the patients. Measures to reduce mortality are suggested.