Intestinal obstruction: MedlinePlus Mobile Medical Encyclopedia

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Causes
Obstruction of the bowel may due to:

A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
Ileus, a condition in which the bowel doesn't work correctly but there is no structural problem

Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:

Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
Complications of abdominal surgery
Decreased blood supply to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
Kidney or lung disease
Use of certain medications, especially narcotics

Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:

Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
Foreign bodies (eaten materials that block the intestines)
Gallstones (rare)
Hernias
Impacted stool
Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
Tumors blocking the intestines
Volvulus (twisted intestine)

Exams and Tests
During a physical exam, the health care provider may find bloating, tenderness, or hernias in the abdomen.

Tests that show obstruction include:

Treatment
Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum.

Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time the cause is easily treated.

Possible Complications
Complications may include or may lead to:

Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
Dehydration
Hole (perforation) in the intestine
Infection
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.

In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you:

Cannot pass stool or gas
Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not go away
Keep vomiting

Prevention
Prevention depends on the cause. Treating conditions, such as tumors and hernias, that can lead to obstruction may reduce your risk of getting an obstruction.

Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented.

Alternative Names
Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal; Colonic ileus

References
McKenzie S, Evers BM. Small intestine. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2012:chap 50.

Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Bleier JIS. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2012:chap 52.

Turnage RH, Heldmann M. Intestinal obstruction. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 119.

Update Date: 7/25/2012
Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington; and Joshua Kunin, MD, Consulting Colorectal Surgeon, Zichron Yaakov, Israel. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.