Abstract

Aims and Objectives: A study was undertaken to identify the common etiology and presentation of acute intestinal obstruction prevailing in our rural vicinity among various patients and the factors modifying them with respect to age and sex.

Materials and Methods: A combined retrospective and prospective observational study was conducted on 200 patients aged between 15-75 years presenting withand admitted with acute intestinal obstruction symptoms. After obtaining ethical committee approval, and getting informed and signed consent from the patients the study was performed and documented.

Results: It was noted that the most common etiology being post-operative adhesion followed by obstructed hernias and other causes were rare. Most common age group was 51-60years. Definite male preponderance was observed.

Conclusion: In the study, it was found that 60% of them had previous history of abdominal surgeries done for various reasons and post-operative adhesions and peritoneal bands were the cause for obstruction. The next common cause being obstructed hernias followed by other causes like strictures, both small and large bowel volvulus, post TB adhesion, intussusception, intra-abdominal abscesses and tumours were rarely documented in the study group. Among sex predisposition males were significantly more commonly affected than females. Majority of the cases were documented among the 51-60years age group.

Keywords: acute intestinal Obstruction, acute abdomen, post operative adhesions, obstructed hernias.