Small bowel (intestine) obstruction (blockage)

About Small bowel (intestine) obstruction (blockage)

Occurs when there is a partial or complete block in the normal passage of digested material through the small intestine. The most common cause of a small bowel obstruction are adhesions (strand-like scars that can encircle bowel or tether the bowel) from previous surgery. Other causes include hernias, twisting of the bowel (volvulus), and tumors.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain, abdominal distention, vomiting, abdominal bloating, constipation.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history and physical exam will be performed. An X-ray and/or CT scan establishes the diagnosis. Other tests are performed to identify damage done by the obstruction.

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray.

Conventional treatment summary

Treatment requires resting the bowel by not letting the patient eat or drink, and frequently by draining the gastric contents with a nasogastric tube. Intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications and pain medications are prescribed. At times surgery is needed to relieve the obstruction.

Medical specialties

General Surgery

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Small bowel (intestine) obstruction (blockage).