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Highlights & Basics
- Small bowel obstruction is a mechanical disruption in the patency of the gastrointestinal tract.
- It is a medical emergency that requires early diagnosis and potential surgical intervention.
- It typically presents with the combined symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and failure to pass flatus or stool per rectum.
- Diagnosis is generally based upon clinical and radiographic features.
- Treatment involves a combination of nasogastric decompression and intravenous fluids. Surgery may be required, so the diagnosis requires urgent surgical assessment.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Abdominal CT scan showing small bowel obstruction with multiple air-fluid levels, dilated bowel loops and a transition zone in the right iliac fossa. Red arrows indicate the evident transition zone
Abdominal x-ray showing partial intestinal obstruction
Abdominal x-ray showing complete intestinal obstruction
Citations
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Jackson P, Vigiola Cruz M. Intestinal obstruction: evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Sep 15;98(6):362-7.[Abstract]
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: suspected small-bowel obstruction. 2019 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Li Z, Zhang L, Liu X, et al. Diagnostic utility of CT for small bowel obstruction: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019;14(12):e0226740.[Abstract][Full Text]
Ten Broek RPG, Krielen P, Di Saverio S, et al. Bologna guidelines for diagnosis and management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO): 2017 update of the evidence-based guidelines from the World Society of Emergency Surgery ASBO Working Group. World J Emerg Surg. 2018 Jun 19;13:24.[Abstract][Full Text]
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