Large Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
What is large bowel obstruction?
Obstruction of the passage of food, fluids and gas, through the large intestines
What type of situation is large bowel obstruction?
Surgical emergency
What is the most common cause of large bowel obstruction?
Tumour (colonic)
60% cases
What are the other possible causes of large bowel obstruction?
volvulus
diverticular disease
What are the presenting symptoms of large bowel obstruction?
absence of passing flatus or stool
abdominal pain
abdominal distention
nausea and vomiting are late symptoms
What are nausea and vomiting more commonly associated with?
Small bowel obstruction
-Late sign in large bowel obstruction
What can be used to diagnose large bowel obstruction?
Abdominal X ray
What can be used to determine the underlying cause of large bowel obstruction?
CT scan
Wha is the initial management of large bowel obstruction?
NBM
IV fluids
nasogastric tube with free drainage
What would you consider giving the patient if perforation suspected or surgery planned?
IV antibiotics
What is the urgency of the management of large bowel obstruction dependent on?
Whether or not there is bowel perforation
What is the management of large bowel obstruction?
Surgery
What is volvulus?
Torsion of the colon around it’s mesenteric axis resulting in compromised blood flow and closed loop obstruction.
Which parts of the bowel are commonly affected by volvulus?
Sigmoid (main)
Caecum
What is sigmoid volvulus due to?
Large bowel obstruction caused by the sigmoid colon twisting on the sigmoid mesocolon
