Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
What are the 3 types of bowel obstruction?
Simple
closed loop obstruction
strangulated
What is a simple bowel obstruction?
1 point obstructed - no vascular compromise
What is a closed loop bowel obstruction?
two obstructing points - high risk of distention and perf
What is a strangulated bowel obstruction?
a bowel obstruction with 1 obstruction point + vascular compromise
What can occur within the lumen to cause a bowel obstruction?
Meconium Faeces foreign bodies gallstone ileus insusseption
What can happen in the bowel wall to cause obstruction?
Neoplasia
Inflammation
Trauma
What can happen outside the bowel wall o cause obstruction?
Volvulus
Adhesions
hernias
What are the non-mechanical causes of bowel obstruction?
paralytic
post-surgical ileus
What is oglivie’s syndrome?
a pseudo-obstruction where AXR looks like obstruction
What are the 2 most common causes of small bowel obstruction?
adhesions
hernia
What are the 3 most common causes of large bowel obstruction?
Neoplasia
Diverticulitis
Volvulus
What is the most common site of large bowel perforation?
caecum
What are the 4 clinical features of bowel obstruction?
Pain - central and colicky
Constipation
Vomiting
Distension
How will auscultation compare in smal bowel obstruction vs Large bowel obstruction?
SBO - tinkling
LBO - No BS
What investigations will be done in a patient with a bowel obstruction?
Cultures Bloods: - ABG - FBC, CRP, UEs Imaging - Erect CXR, AXR Enema with gastrographin
