Small Bowel Obstruction

Question 1

What is small bowel obstruction

Answer 1

obstruction of the small bowel

Question 2

what can cause obstruction of the small bowel

Answer 2

some causes can be volvulus, adhesions, bands, hernia, tumours, inflammation or foreign bodies (Much more RARE)

Question 3

how do patients with a small bowel obstruction present

Answer 3

absolute constipation, colicky abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness, mass, peritonitis

Question 4

signs of peritonitis

Answer 4

guarding, rebound tenderness and rigidity

absent bowel sounds

Question 5

what can palpable abdominal masses be a sign of

Answer 5

intussusception or carcinomas

Question 6

what investigations will be done for a small bowel obstruction

Answer 6

imaging; CT, AXR

water soluble contrast study, FBC, CRP, serum amylase

Question 7

why will you look at serum lipase and amylase

Answer 7

to rule out acute pancreatitis

Question 8

how to manage/ treat small bowel obstruction

Answer 8

general management with gastric aspiration with a NG tube if the patient is vomiting, IV fluids, electrolyte replacement and monitoring of fluid output etc

surgical emergency; laparotomy

Question 9

complications of untreated small bowel obstruction

Answer 9

dehydration, bowel perforation, peritonitis, toxaemia

Question 10

prognosis

Answer 10

depends on the complications present and level of obstruction