Intestinal Obstruction Management

Intestinal Obstruction

Blockage of small or large intestine

Overview

Intestinal obstruction is a condition in which there is a blockage in the small or large intestine. This prevents the digested food and liquids from passing into the intestines causing it to rupture and spread bacteria in the abdominal cavity. It can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal Swelling

Constipation or Bloody Stools

Vomiting or Loss of Appetite

Causes

Intestinal Obstruction in children is caused by:

Diagnosis

Other than regular physical examination, a doctor may require to perform some tests to determine the best way of treatment. The tests may include:

X-Ray

CT Scan

Ultrasound

Colonoscopy

Barium Enema

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment right away if any worrisome symptoms appear.

Treatment

Intestinal Obstruction is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. The treatment can be both surgical and non-surgical depending on the severity of the condition.

A partial obstruction can be fixed by resting the bowels and giving intravenous fluids to the patients. Another way of treating it is by inserting an air or barium enema into the colon.

However, the complete obstruction can only be treated by performing surgery to remove the blockage. The surgeon will remove the dead tissue and reattach the ends of the intestine again. The patient will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days and a light diet is given to facilitate the recovery process.

Surgeons at Curadors have successfully performed several such procedures over a period of 15 years. Our partnered facility, Maroof International Hospital has state-of-the-art operation theaters equipped with the world’s most advanced equipment to provide the best quality treatment to our patients.

Risks, Complications & Preventions

Intestinal obstruction, if left untreated can cause serious complications. It can cut off the blood supply to the intestine which results in abdominal infection and tissue death. Therefore, immediate medical care should be sought if your baby has severe abdominal pain or shows any other symptoms of intestinal obstruction.