Small / Large Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
What is a bowel obstruction?
Mechanical blockage of the bowel
What are the causes of SBO? (2 things)
- Adhesions
- Hernias
What are the causes of LBO? (3 things)
- Malignancy
- Diverticular disease
- Volvulus (bowel twisting on itself)
What are the clinical features of BO? (3 + 2 things)
- Vomiting
- Abd pain / distension
- Constipation
@ exam
- Tympanic (hollow) sound on percussion
- Tinkling bowel sounds on ausc
What are the features of abd pain in BO? (3 things)
- Colicky & cramping
- Localised tenderness
- Guarding + rebound @ palpation
What does HIGHER up abd pain suggest in suspected BO?
SBO
What does LOWER down abd pain suggest in suspected BO?
LBO
Lower pain = Large bowel
What does EARLY vomiting suggest in suspected BO?
Proximal obstruction (SBO)
Remember: vomiting is from da mouth so da nearer obstruction is to da mouth da earlier it will present
What does LATE vomiting suggest in suspected BO?
Distal obstruction (LBO)
Remember: vomiting is from da mouth so da nearer obstruction is to da mouth da earlier it will present
What causes the abd pain in BO?
Peristalsis
Which BO has MORE significant abd distension?
LBO
What causes abdominal distension in BO?
Third spacing
What is third spacing?
Movement of fluid from blood –> spaces between cells
What does EARLY constipation suggest in suspected BO?
Distal obstruction (LBO)
Remember: pooing is from da bunda so da nearer da obstruction is to da bunda da earlier it willl present
What does LATE constipation suggest in suspected BO?
Proximal obstruction (SBO)
Remember: pooing is from da bunda so da nearer da obstruction is to da bunda da earlier it willl present
What are the types of BO? (3 things)
- Simple
- Closed loop
- Strangulated