Abstract: Background and Objective: Acute intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common surgical complication that necessitates immediate identification and treatment. Over the last century, the causes of intestinal blockage have evolved substantially. In comparison to developed world, emerging countries have a different aetiology pattern.
Methods: Acute intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common surgical complication that necessitates immediate identification and treatment. Over the last century, the causes of intestinal blockage have evolved substantially. In comparison to developed world, emerging countries have a different aetiology pattern.
Results: Cases operated for AIO constituted 6.5% of all emergency surgeries. The most common cause of AIO was complicated hernia (n=23, 46%) followed by adhesions (n=14, 28%) and abdominal tuberculosis (n=13, 26%). The mean age of presentation was 46.55 years ±15.66 years and male to female ratio was 2:1. The most common symptom was pain abdomen (n=47, 94%) while the most common sign was tachycardia (n=46, 92%). The most common preceding surgery leading to AIO due to adhesions was open appendicectomy and the most common complication was surgical site infection (n=15, 19.12%). There were 1 mortalities (2%).
Interpretation and Conclusion: Though obstructed hernia is the most frequent cause of AIO in this study, it has a lower incidence than in other studies, owing to people's improving socioeconomic status and better availability to health treatment in this location. Adhesions are quite common, owing to an increase in the number of timely procedures for diseases that were previously untreated, such as treatments for various intra-abdominal malignancies. In this study, tuberculosis is the third most prevalent cause of AIO, which is largely due to the increased prevalence of HIV and its cohabitation with tuberculosis.
