This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Management

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The management of mechanical bowel obstruction involves:

  • decompression via nasogatric/long tube: - as part of intial resuscitation - treatment for partial obstruction which may resolve or allow time to prepare bowel for elective surgery

  • volume and electrolyte replacement: - the longer the period of obstruction, the more fluid replacement is required to avoid intraoperative hypotension and its sequelae - MI, CVA, renal failure

  • surgery for the following indications: - complete small bowel obstruction - there is no reliable way of clinically differentiating a simple from a strangulating complete small bowel obstruction. Hence, early operation is indicated to avoid bowel resection. - closed loop - complete colonic obstruction with competent ileocaecal valve and progressively dilating caecum.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.