Review of small bowel obstruction at Milwaukee County General Hospital

Predicting Intestinal Ischaemia in Patients with Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Simple Score

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Intestinal ischaemia (II) is the most critical factor to determine in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) because intestinal ischaemia could be reversible. The aim of this study was to create a clinicoradiological score to predict II in patients with ASBO.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study including 124 patients with ASBO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of II. We assigned points for the score according to the regression coefficient. The area under the curve (AUC) was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Six independent predictive factors of II were identified: age, pain duration, body temperature, WBC, reduced wall enhancement and segmental mesenteric fluid at CT scan. According to the regression, coefficient points were assigned to each of the variables associated with II. The estimated rates of II were calculated for the total scores ranging from 0 to 24. The AUC of this clinicoradiological score was 0.92. A cut-off score of 6 was used for the low-probability group (the risk of II was 1.13%). A score ranging from 7 to 15 defined intermediate-probability group (the risk of II was 44%). A score ≥16 defined high-probability group (100% of patients in this group had II).

CONCLUSIONS

We performed a score to predict the risk of intestinal II with a good accuracy (the AUC of our score exceeded 0.90). This score is reliable and reproducible, so it can help surgeon to prioritize patients with II for surgery because ischaemia could be reversible, avoiding thus intestinal necrosis.

Management of Pediatric Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: Do Timing of Surgery and Age Matter?

BACKGROUND

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) in children is generally managed with initial observation. However, no clear guidelines exist regarding indications to operate. Our purpose was to compare outcomes of ASBO management to determine whether timing of surgery and patient age should affect management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of children admitted to a tertiary care children's hospital for ASBO between 2011 and 2015 was performed. Data included demographics, imaging, operative findings, and clinical management, which were analyzed using χ² test, Fischer's exact test, t-test, analysis of variance, or logistic regression when appropriate.

RESULTS

We identified 258 admissions for 202 patients. Urgent operation was performed in 12% and the rest had nonoperative management (NOM), which was successful in 54%. Patients younger than 1 y of age were more likely to require operation (odds ratio 3.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.69-8.15; P < 0.01), and patients with prior ASBO were less likely to require operation (odds ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.84; P < 0.01). At presentation, fever was most common in patients who had urgent operation (22.3% versus failure of NOM 7.6% versus successful NOM 6.6%; P = 0.02), but there were no differences in leukocytosis or abdominal pain. Excluding urgent operations, bowel resection was more common when operation was delayed more than 48 h (32.6% versus 15.3%; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In children with adhesive small bowel obstruction, NOM can be successful, but when failure is suspected, early operation before 48 h should be considered to avoid bowel loss, especially in children younger than 1 y of age.

Geriatric small bowel obstruction: an analysis of treatment and outcomes compared with a younger cohort

BACKGROUND

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common condition, but little is known about its presentation, management, and outcomes in geriatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed comparing geriatric (≥65 years of age) and nongeriatric patients admitted with SBO. Admission characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were compared. Data analysis included Student t test and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Among 80 geriatric and 136 nongeriatric patients, no difference was observed among admission characteristics, treatment, time to or type of surgery, length of postoperative stay, or overall complications. Cardiac complications (15% vs 0%, P = .0082) and subacute care facility discharge (29% vs 5%, P < .001) were more common for geriatric patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with younger adults, elderly patients with SBO have similar presentations and overall outcomes with the exception of cardiac morbidity and discharge disposition. Preoperative attention to cardiac risk profile and discharge disposition discussion should be encouraged.

Reoperation for small bowel obstruction--how critical is the timing?

The timing of reoperation for small bowel obstruction is a topic of significant debate. Any patient with evidence of strangulation should undergo urgent surgical intervention. However, predicting strangulation can be difficult. Because of this, previous authors have recommended everything from emergency operation for all patients presenting with small bowel obstruction to periods of observation that extend up to 14 days. Over the past century, the primary etiology of small bowel obstruction has shifted from hernias to postoperative adhesive disease, leading to a shift in the management paradigm. To manage small bowel obstruction successfully today, the clinician must distinguish the patient requiring urgent operation from those who benefit from nonoperative management. Furthermore, the clinician must be able to determine the appropriate length of time for conservative management. In this article we review the significant body of literature on this topic including the diagnostic workup and timing of potential operative intervention in the patient with small bowel obstruction.

The role of contrast radiography in presumed bowel obstruction

A retrospective review of 229 patients with a final diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction was undertaken to evaluate the role of contrast radiography in the management of their conditions. In 84 patients (37%) the clinical findings and plain abdominal roentgenograms were sufficient for diagnosis and subsequent management. Of the remaining 145 patients with equivocal findings, 27% had an upper gastrointestinal series, 29% a barium enema, and 44% had both. Useful information (complete obstruction, unobstructed passage of contrast, or diagnosis other than adhesional obstruction) was obtained from 86% of the radiographic studies. Three patients had negative contrast studies yet eventually underwent adhesiolysis (enterolysis) and were classified as false-negative. Two patients had evidence of high-grade obstruction yet had nonoperative resolution and were classified as false-positive. The mortality in the contrast group (7%) was not statistically different than that in the no-contrast group (7%). Contrast radiography is a safe and effective means of increasing diagnostic accuracy in patients with presumed small-bowel obstruction. (SURGERY 1989; 106: 496-501.).

From The Division of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich.

Intestinal obstruction in patients with previous laparotomy for non-malignancy

BACKGROUND

Intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies. The aim of this study was to identify important management information from the evaluation of patients with intestinal obstruction who had undergone previous laparotomy for non-malignancy.

METHODS

Data from 176 patients with previous laparotomy for non-malignancy, and who were operated on for intestinal obstruction, were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Gastroduodenal operations, appendectomy, and obstetric/gynecologic procedures were the 3 most common previous abdominal surgeries. More than half of all bowel obstructions developed within 10 years after previous laparotomy, and particularly within the first 5 years. Most obstructions were related to adhesion, although their etiologies were diverse. The rate of bowel strangulation was much higher in patients with internal herniation, volvulus, intussusception, closed loop, and diaphragmatic hernia than in patients with simple adhesion, bezoar, tumor, and inflammation (48.3% vs 12.2%). The surgical mortality rate correlated significantly with bowel strangulation: the overall rate was 6.8%, that in patients with strangulation was 18.8%, and that in patients without strangulation was 4.2%.

CONCLUSION

The etiologies of intestinal obstruction were not only significantly related to bowel strangulation, but were also an important determinant of therapeutic strategy.

Delay in operative treatment among patients with small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Delay in operative treatment for small bowel obstruction (SBO) has been shown to affect outcome adversely. The objective of this study was to detect time trends in treatment delay for patients with SBO during the study period 1961 to 1995 and to investigate factors influencing and factors affected by delay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 815 patients with 921 operations for SBO from 1961-1995 were studied. Patients with large bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus and SBO caused by abdominal cancer or intussusception were excluded. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Old age and female sex were associated with increased treatment delay. Delay in hospital increased from 5 hours (median) in the 1960'ies to 16 hours (median) in the 1990'ies. Treatment delay correlated significantly with postoperative morbidity and hospital stay. Mortality increased after prolonged treatment delay in SBO caused by hernias whereas no significant increase in mortality was observed among adhesive obstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital delay increased throughout the study period. Old patients and women had a longer median treatment delay than did young ones and men. Treatment delay led to an increase in postoperative morbidity and hospital stay after surgery for SBO.

Postoperative ileus on a gynecologic oncology service--do abdominal X-rays have a role?

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to estimate the role of abdominal radiographs in the management of the patient with gastrointestinal dysfunction in the early postoperative period following intra-abdominal gynecologic surgery.

METHODS

Hospital records were reviewed for 84 patients from the gynecologic oncology service having a clinical diagnosis of either ileus or bowel obstruction immediately after intra-abdominal gynecologic surgery. Patient history, clinical signs and symptoms, findings of plain radiographs, and clinical course were studied to determine whether plain abdominal radiographs were useful in the management of these patients.

RESULTS

At least one set of abdominal X-rays was obtained for 56 (66.7%) patients, of which 24 (42.9%) were considered radiographically diagnostic. A lower preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score correlated with a greater likelihood of having abdominal films (P = 0.005). No single clinical finding correlated with either the decision to obtain films or X-ray diagnosis of ileus or bowel obstruction. Use of any nonsurgical treatment modality was not significantly different for patients who had films versus those who did not. Mean length of hospital stay was significantly prolonged for patients who had abdominal X-rays. Seven patients were subjected to reoperation; however, no association was found between X-ray diagnosis of ileus or bowel obstruction and the need for reoperation.

CONCLUSION

Plain abdominal radiographs have little clinical utility in the evaluation of patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction in the early postoperative period following intra-abdominal gynecologic surgery. Diagnostic studies such as CT scanning or a GI contrast study may be more helpful in the management of these patients.

Complications and death after surgical treatment of small bowel obstruction: A 35-year institutional experience

OBJECTIVE

To study factors influencing complications and death after operations for small bowel obstruction (SBO) using multifactorial statistical methods.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Death after surgery for SBO is believed to be influenced by factors such as old age, comorbidities, bowel gangrene, and delay in treatment. No studies have been reported in which adverse factors related to death and complications have been systematically investigated with modern statistical methods.

METHODS

The authors studied retrospectively 877 patients who underwent 1,007 operations for SBO from 1961 to 1995. Patients with paralytic ileus, intussusception, and abdominal cancer were excluded. Odds ratios for death, complications, postoperative hospital stay, and strangulation were calculated by means of logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Death and complication rates decreased during the study period. Old age, comorbidity, nonviable strangulation, and a treatment delay of more than 24 hours were significantly associated with an increased death rate. The rate of nonviable strangulation increased markedly with patient age. Major factors increasing the complication rate were old age, comorbidity, a treatment delay of more than 24 hours, and the need for repeat surgery.

CONCLUSION

Death and complication rates after SBO decreased from 1961 to 1995. Major factors influencing the rates were age, comorbidity, nonviable strangulation, and treatment delay. Nonviable strangulation was more common in old patients.

Small bowel obstruction after colon resection for benign and malignant diseases

To determine the etiology and outcome of patients with small bowel obstruction after a colon resection for benign and malignant diseases, the medical records of 118 patients who underwent 120 laparotomies for small bowel obstruction were reviewed. Contrary to previous reports, benign adhesions were responsible for the obstruction in all patients with a history of benign colon disease, 82.6 percent of patients with a history of adenocarcinoma of the colon without known recurrence, and 30.1 percent of patients with known recurrent malignancy. The morbidity and mortality was more related to the etiology of the obstruction rather than the preoperative delay or operative procedure performed. Considering the high likelihood of adhesive obstruction in patients with a history of, or known, metastatic colorectal carcinoma, it is suggested that these not deter surgeons from aggressive early surgical intervention in these patients who develop small bowel obstruction.

Enteric morbidity of postoperative pelvic external beam and brachytherapy for uterine cancer

From 1970 through 1986, 219 women received postoperative pelvic external beam therapy and vaginal radium or cesium for uterine cancer. Prescribed external beam and total vaginal surface doses ranged from 38 to 51 Gy and from 70 to 119 Gy, respectively. Severe enteric morbidity developed in 7.8% of patients (15 small bowel, 1 sigmoid, 1 rectal). Complications occurred more frequently in patients with pelvic lymph node sampling at hysterectomy, abdominal surgery prior to hysterectomy, and low body weight. Logistic analysis demonstrated no significant effect of pelvic external beam dose, vaginal surface boost dose, or milligram hours. Five and 10-year overall survival rates were 85% and 74%, respectively. There were two proximal and one distal vaginal recurrences. Recommendations for avoiding complications are presented.

Use of gastrointestinal contrast studies in obstruction of the small and large bowel

Gastrointestinal contrast studies were performed in 96 (27 percent) of 342 patients with small-bowel obstruction including 57 upper gastrointestinal and 39 barium-enema examinations. In 34 patients, upper gastrointestinal examination disclosed either obstruction or failure of contrast to reach the cecum in 24 hours; all 34 patients required surgery. The remaining 23 patients who had upper gastrointestinal studies recovered with tube decompression. Barium enema demonstrated obstruction in 13 (33 percent) of 39 cases of suspected small-bowel obstruction and localized obstruction in the colon rather than small bowel in 9 of 13 cases. Barium enema was 100 percent predictive of surgery when obstruction was shown, but was not helpful in predicting surgery when obstruction was not demonstrated. Surgery was required in 42 percent of patients whose barium enema did not show obstruction. Barium enema also was performed in 19 of 23 patients with large-bowel obstruction and showed the level of obstruction in all cases. All patients with large-bowel obstruction required surgery except for three who recovered after barium-enema reduction of intussusception or volvulus. Barium upper gastrointestinal examination is recommended in small-bowel obstruction when plain films are nondiagnostic, and in selected cases of small-bowel obstruction that do not resolve with a short trial of tube decompression. Barium enema is not recommended in suspected small-bowel obstruction but should be performed in all cases of large-bowel obstruction, except when perforation is a possibility or when the cecum measures 10 cm or larger in diameter.

Small bowel obstruction: a review of 264 cases and suggestions for management

Two hundred and sixty-four cases of acute small bowel obstruction were retrospectively reviewed for the purpose of defining factors which could point to the presence of strangulated bowel. History, physical signs and investigations, including body temperature, X-rays, white blood count, and serum amylase, were not significantly different in the simple and strangulated groups. Although an elevated urinary white blood count and a palpable mass were more common in the strangulated group, they were not sufficiently reliable for early diagnosis of strangulation. In reviewing the literature, it is clear that all hernias with obstruction must undergo emergency surgery. Cases with intra-abdominal complete intestinal obstruction should also undergo emergency surgery. A more conservative attitude can only be taken when there is incomplete obstruction.

Mechanical intestinal obstruction in patients with gynecologic disease: a review of 368 patients

To review the management of intestinal obstruction associated with gynecologic disease, the authors studied the records of 368 patients with acute intestinal obstruction. Most patients (83%) had gynecologic malignancies. Obstruction of the small intestines was more common than obstruction of the large intestines (77% versus 23%). Major causes of mechanical small bowel obstruction included extrinsic neoplasms (62%, mostly ovarian carcinomas), radiation therapy-associated strictures and adhesions (17%), postoperative adhesions (14%), and inflammatory strictures and adhesions (3%). Obstruction of the colon was caused mainly by extrinsic neoplasms (45%), strictures and adhesions associated with radiation therapy (26%), fecal impaction (9%), and intrinsic neoplasms (8%). Gastrointestinal intubation successfully relieved 81% of small bowel obstructions caused by postoperative adhesions. Tube suction alone was rarely successful when the obstruction was caused by malignant neoplasms. The prognosis was dependent on the cause of the underlying disease. The cases studied in this report were compared with a large number of cases of bowel obstruction in general surgery. It is concluded that bowel obstruction associated with gynecologic disease has unique features deserving wider recognition.

Use of tubes and radiographs in the management of small bowel obstruction

During the past 10 years 311 consecutive patients were admitted with 342 episodes of small bowel obstruction (SBO). There were 193 cases of partial small bowel obstruction (PSBO) and 149 cases of complete small bowel obstruction (CSBO) as determined by interpretation of the abdominal radiographs done on admission. The purpose of this review was to determine the reliability of the admission plain abdominal radiographs and subsequent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast studies in predicting the need for operative intervention. The use of nasogastric tubes (NGT) versus nasointestinal (long) tubes (NIT) was correlated with the following outcome variables; length of hospital stay (LOS), timing of operative intervention, incidence of postoperative complications, and duration of postoperative ileus. Long tubes (NIT) were used in 64 episodes of PSBO and 81 episodes of CSBO, whereas nasogastric tubes (NGT) were used in 116 cases of PSBO and 68 cases of CSBO. Thirty-eight of 193 (19%) patients with PSBO required operation (20 of 116 with NGT and 18 of 64 with NIT), whereas 125 of 149 (84%) patients with CSBO required operation (60 of 68 with NGT and 65 of 81 with NIT). Need for operation was not correlated with whether or not long tubes passed beyond the pylorus; 50 passed versus 33 not passed in operative groups (p = 0.15). Twelve of 83 patients with NIT had operation within 24 hours versus 52 of 80 patients with NGT (p less than 0.001). In six of 64 patients who had surgery within 24 hours, complications developed versus in 39 of 99 patients operated on more than 24 hours after admission (p less than or equal to 0.001). In 29 of 83 patients treated with NIT, postoperative complications developed versus in 16 of 80 patients with NGT (p less than or equal to 0.04). The mean duration of postoperative ileus in patients with NIT was 7 days versus 4.1 days for NGT patients (p less than 0.001). The mean LOS was 12.2 days for NGT patients versus 21 days for patients with NIT (p less than 0.001). Barium UGI contrast studies were performed in 57 patients to establish the presence of obstruction. In 34 of 57 patients the UGI disclosed mechanical obstruction that required operative intervention. In the remaining 23 patients no obstruction was demonstrated, and all 23 patients recovered without operation. In conclusion, there is no inherent superiority of NIT versus NGT in the treatment of SBO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Small intestinal obstruction

Small intestinal obstruction remains a frequently encountered problem in abdominal surgery. Although modern day surgical management continues to focus appropriately on avoiding operative delay whenever surgery is indicated, not every patient is always best served by immediate operation. Certain entities, such as SBO secondary to incarcerated abdominal wall hernia, and patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of strangulation do require prompt operative intervention. Other conditions, however, such as postoperative adhesions and neoplastic-associated SBO, particularly in patients with numerous previous abdominal procedures, concomitant medical problems, or incomplete or partial obstruction, often justifiably benefit by a trial of nonoperative management. The risk of strangulation with adhesive and neoplastic SBO is relatively low as compared with incarcerated hernia and small bowel volvulus. Close and careful clinical evaluation, in conjunction with laboratory and radiologic studies, will usually dictate the proper course of management in any given case. If any uncertainty exists, prompt operative intervention is indicated. Because over 50 per cent of all cases of SBO are the direct result of postoperative adhesions, it is probably just as important as the actual management of SBO for all practicing abdominal surgeon to familiarize themselves with the widely accepted "ischemic theory" of adhesion formation. A number of intraoperative measures, many of which go against established surgical principles, are now encouraged during routine elective abdominal surgery to reduce the incidence of detrimental adhesions that might subsequently produce SBO. At the same time, surgeons should continue their aggressive attitude towards elective repair of any and all abdominal hernias, which continue to account for close to 15 per cent of all cases of small intestinal obstruction and still remain the most common cause of strangulation.

Gastrointestinal myoelectric activity in mechanical intestinal obstruction

Experiments were designed to study the effect of duration of small bowel obstruction (SBO) on rate of recovery of fasting and nonfasting GI myoelectric activity (MEA) in 10 dogs. Two weeks after implantation of a gastric cannula and bipolar silver electrodes in the antrum, duodenum, proximal and midjejunum, terminal ileum, right and left colon, complete SBO was created in the distal ileum. Duration of SBO was 24 hr in group I (five dogs) and 48 hr in group 2 (five dogs). MEA was recorded on 5 consecutive postop days after creating SBO. Water (500 cc) was given via cannula 90 min after release of SBO and on subsequent days after 90 min of fasting MEA recording. Control data were pooled from MEA recordings obtained on 10th and 12th days after electrode implant, each dog serving as its own control. On the day of SBO release there were no significant differences in MEA between groups 1 and 2. Twenty-four hours after SBO release, group 2 fasting and nonfasting jejunal and ileal MEA was significantly decreased vs group 1 and control levels. These significantly decreased jejunal and ileal MEA levels persisted for 48 hr after SBO release. After water by cannula, group 2 antral MEA was significantly less than group 1 and control levels and remained at these low levels for 72 hr after SBO release. Colonic MEA in group 1 and group 2 was not significantly decreased vs control levels. These data suggest that the colon does not play a regulatory role in ileus caused by SBO. These results also imply that prolonged ileus can be avoided by early operation for mechanical SBO.

Enteroclysis in partial small bowel obstruction

In a 5 year period, 56 patients with suspected partial small bowel obstruction were evaluated by enteroclysis or the antegrade small bowel enema. Mechanical partial obstruction was diagnosed by enteroclysis in 38 of the patients, 24 of whom required surgery. The diagnosis by enteroclysis was confirmed in 23 of the patients. In the single patient with "false-positive" enteroclysis, the obstruction had been interpreted as minimal. The thirteen remaining patients were managed conservatively. The possibility of significant mechanical obstruction was excluded by enteroclysis in 19 patients. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Enteroclysis is a safe, rapid, and accurate method for the evaluation of patients with partial small bowel obstruction.

The diagnosis of colonic obstruction

The most common cause of colonic obstruction is adenocarcinoma, followed by diverticulitis, volvulus, and a variety of miscellaneous causes. Most signs and symptoms, from whatever cause, consist of abdominal pain with distention and the inability to pass flatus or stool. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by x-ray studies. Plain films of the abdomen in various positions, chest films, and the addition of contrast studies verify the cause of the obstruction in most instances. The differentiation between neoplasm and diverticulitis causing the obstruction can be difficult or impossible at times, and may become apparent only after the obstruction begins to resolve with conservative management, or the cause is discovered at surgery. The history of previous abdominal or pelvic irradiation, surgery, and inflammatory bowel disease often causes difficulty in the differential diagnosis.

The barium infusion in small intestinal obstruction

During a two-year period 26 patients with suspected small bowel obstruction were examined by infusing barium into the small intestine. Mechanical obstruction was confirmed in 25 patients and the level of obstruction was shown in all except one who had carcinoma of the caecum. Surgery was avoided in nine patients-six of whom had Crohn's disease, two had adhesions and the investigation showed no abnormality in one patient. There were no complications associated with the examination or with the subsequent operation.

An assessment of the surgical treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction in infants and children

At The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) ranks seventh as a cause of pediatric bowel obstruction. Between January 1968 and December 1979, 131 infants and children had adhesive SBO proven at laparotomy or autopsy: 123 had 1; 7 had 16 adhesiotomies; 1 died without surgery; 100 had 1 prior operation; and 31 had multiple operations. Over 80% of the SBOs developed within 2 yr of the prior operations. Appendectomy and subtotal colectomy were the most common prior operation. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 29 children; 20 were observed longer than 24 hr before laparotomy. The rate of wound infection ranged from 4% to 50%; it was lowest for those children who had lysis of adhesions only, and highest for those who had lysis and decompressive enterotomy or perforation repair. Results indicate that delaying adhesiotomy and entering the GI tract during adhesiotomy are associated with increased morbidity (p less than 0.01), and therefore should be avoided. Prophylactic antibiotics may have a protective role during anterolysis.

Patterns of mechanical obstruction of the small bowel in Nigeria

One hundred sixty-one patients with mechanical small bowel obstruction were treated within 2 years at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. The various causes of obstruction fairly typify the patterns of mechanical small bowel obstruction in Nigeria, except for slight differences in some parts of the country. The fairly high mortality rate reflects the difficulties encountered in management of the patients. Measures to reduce mortality are suggested.

Neoplastic obstruction of the small and large intestine

Obstructive symptoms due to small bowel tumors are the most common indication of primary malignant disease in the small intestine. Primary obstructing tumors of the small bowel are treated best by resection and primary anastomosis. Malignant lesions of the duodenum sometimes will require pancreaticoduodenectomy and those of the distal ileum, right hemicolectomy. Obstruction due to localized metastatic disease can be treated by resection and primary anastomosis but, more frequently, one or more side-to-side enteroenterostomies will be needed, especially in abdominal carcinomatosis. The complication of LBO due to colorectal cancer is an ominous sign. The less favorable prognosis is a result of the higher operative mortality, advanced stage of disease and lower resectability rate. Obstructing neoplasms of the right side of the colon are treated best by immediate resection and primary anastomosis. Left-sided colon obstruction due to malignancy traditionally is treated by preliminary diversion followed later by definitive resection. Insufficient data are available to evaluate any benefit on operative mortality and long-term survival with a more aggressive approach involving decompression and resection of the obstructing carcinoma at the initial operation. It is doubtful that any marked improvement in current mortality and survival figures will result from wide deviations of the current principles of operative managment. Early diagnosis of the cancer before obstruction occurs remains the primary means of improving survival rates. This involves not only primary means of improving survival rates. This involves not only patient education regarding presenting symptoms, but improvement of physician recognition and response to these complaints so that the appropriate tests are ordered and treatment is initiated.

Critical operative management of small bowel obstruction

The records of 238 patients with the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction at the University of Illinois Hospital from 1967 through the spring of 1976 were reviewed. Mortality, intra-operative management, and clinical findings were evaluated. Previous reports list a mortality of gangrenous small bowel obstruction, secondary to hernia and/or adhesions, as greater than 20%, although in this series, the mortality was 4.5% in patients with gangrenous small bowel obstruction. The present data reveal a 60% incidence of wound infection in patients in whom an enterotomy (iatrogenic, decompressive or resective) was made and the subcutaneous tissue and skin closed, and it is therefore recommended that the wound be left open in these situations. Although a variety of individual clinical findings have been advocated as diagnostic aids in patients with small bowel obstruction, this review suggests that attention to a combination of "classic" findings, i.e., leukocytosis, fever, tachycardia and localized tenderness, portends a situation in which conservative observation is safe--namely, the absence of all four findings. The presence of any one or more of these findings mandates early operative intervention.

Intestinal obstruction

One hundred severty-one cases of mechanical intestinal obstruction were studied. One hundred fifteen had small bowel obstruction and fifty-six had large bowel obstruction. Adhesion (32.8 per cent), hernia (21.6 per cent), and neoplasm (18.1 per cent) were the cause of obstruction in more than 70 per cent of all cases. More than 40 per cent of patients were older than 60 years and the average age was 52.7. The numbers of males and females were approximately equal. There were twice as many whites as blacks, and the mortality rate was higher among blacks. The overall uncorrected mortality rate was 18.7 per cent. Operation was performed in 105 patients (61.4 per cent), with a postoperative mortality of 19 per cent and corrected postoperative mortality of 4.5 per cent. Contributing factors that were significant were high incidence of metastatic diseases, elderly patients, and delay in admission.