Abstract :
Background: Bowel obstruction is a surgical emergency that causes confusion both in the diagnosis and the
management. Decision on whether to operate on the patient or to continue with conservative management as well as the
timing of intervention often rests upon the treating surgeon and his competence. Objectives: Primary objective of the study
was to describe the etiological profile in patients with intestinal obstruction in our institution. Secondary objectives were to
study the demographic pattern and the mode of management in these patients. Material & Methods: This was a hospital
based Cross sectional study conducted at the General Surgery department, Government Medical College Hospital,
Trivandrum. The study period was for 18 months, from April 2014 to September 2015. Study subjects included patients
admitted in the Surgical wards with intestinal obstruction. Sample size was calculated to be 204 based on reference study.
All values are presented as means and percentages. Results: Males were found to be affected much more than females.
In 70% of patients, small bowel was the bowel predominantly involved. Adhesions were the commonest etiological factor
followed by obstructed hernias. Most of the patients underwent operative management. Conclusions: Small bowel was
the most commonly obstructed part of the bowel while adhesions and hernia form the commonest reasons for intestinal
obstruction in our setting. Appendicectomy and laparotomy for perforation peritonitis caused the most postoperative
adhesions.
Keyword :
Intestinal Obstruction; Intestinal Volvulus; Intussusception