Causes and management of intestinal obstruction in Babylon governorate hospitals-Iraq

Abstract EN

Aretrospective review of 284 cases of intestinal obstruction admitted to the hella general teaching hospital (Babylon) over a period of 5 years from (1/1/1998 to31/8/2002) was carried out.

The main causes of obstructive were post- operative adhesions 105 patients (40%).

hernia 87(30.6%) pseudo- obstruction 8 (2.8%) intussusception 18 (6.33%) malignant obstruction 67 (23.6%) inflammatory obstruction 4(1.41%)volvulus 3 (1.05%) and others 4(1.41%) surgical intervention was necessary in 245 patients (86.25%) while 78 patients (27.5%) responded to conservative trestment.

post- operative complications occurred in 43 patients (15.2%) the main complications were wound infection chest infection prolonged ileus and intestinal fistulae the mortality was 7(2.5%) the pattern of small bowel obstruction in Babylon similar to that in the west while large bowel obstruction is not uncommon.