University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

138

Pages:

2
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Bowel obstruction clinical features and complications Clinical features • Cardinal signs: - • Complete bowel obstruction: - • Abdominal pain Vomiting Constipation Abdominal distention Decreased bowel sounds. These occur regardless of the underlying aetiology. The severity and progression of clinical features differ according to the site and severity of the obstruction. Total obstruction with the intestinal lumen, preventing the passage of air and fluid. Rapid progression of clinical features. Can be associated with obstipation -> complete inability to pass stool or gas. Partial bowel obstruction: - Partial obstruction of the intestinal lumen, allowing a small amount of air and fluid to pass through. Clinical features may be less severe than in complete bowel obstruction. Can be associated with intermittent passage of flatus and overflow diarrhea. Amboss table: Progression • • • • • Depending on the onset and progression of clinical features, mechanical bowel obstruction can be classified as simple or complicated and acute or subacute. Simple bowel obstruction: bowel obstruction with no evidence of complications (i.e. no features of bowel ischemia, bowel perforation or red flags for complicated bowel obstruction). Complicated bowel obstruction: bowel obstruction associated with strangulation, ischemic necrosis or perforation. Red flags for complicated bowel obstruction: - Pain out of proportion. - Peritoneal signs - Signs of systemic toxicity e.g. SIRS - Hemodynamically instability. - Lab abnormalities: such as significant leucocytosis, metabolic acidosis and increased lactate. Amboss table: Complications • • • Bowel ischemia Bowel perforation Peritonitis