Small Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
what is causes of luminal obstruction
gallstone ileus, food, bezoar (lump of hair)
what is causes of bowel wall obstruction
tumours, crohn’s and enteritis
what is causes of mesenteric arterial occlusion
atherosclerossis, thromboembolism from heart
what is causes of strangulation obstructing venous return
hernia
adhesion
how is it diagnosed
FBC, urinalysis, blood gases
AXR, contrast CT abdomen
enema XR if necessary
what are symptoms
severe abdominal cockily pain
abdominal distension and tenderness
decreased bowel sounds
faeculent vomiting
treatment
analgesia
fluids and potassium replacement (lose K in vomit)
NG tube draining
anti-embolism measures/embolectmy
surgery if perforation / strangulation / ischaemia - early laparotomy and antibiotics (gentamicin and metrondiazole)
