Vol. 4, Issue 4, Part A (2020)

Background: Intestinal obstruction continues to be a frequent emergency, which surgeons have to face (1-4% of emergency operations). Intestinal obstruction is defined as any hindrance to the passage of intestinal contents.

Objective: To study the etiological factors, various modes of clinical presentation of intestinal obstruction.

Setting: Study was conducted by selection of consecutive 50 cases presenting with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute intestinal obstruction from Chigateri General Hospital and Bapuji Hospital attached to J.J.M.Medical College, Davangere during the period from June 2009 to May 2011.

Result: the maximum incidence is in the age group of 41-50yrs. The occurrence of acute intestinal obstruction was common in male compared to female. Small bowel obstruction is more common. The commonest presenting symptom was abdominal pain followed by vomiting, distention of abdomen and absolute constipation. Adhesive obstruction (56%) was the commonest cause of acute intestinal obstruction, followed by Obstructed Hernia (18%), Malignancy (6%), Volvulus (4%), Intussusceptions (6%) and TB stricture (6%).

Conclusion: It was concluded that most common etiological factor for intestinal obstruction was postoperative adhesions. Obstructed Inguinal Hernia was the second most common cause of intestinal obstruction.