Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) A small-bowel obstruction happens when the small intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes. (SBO) is caused by a variety of pathologic processes. The leading cause of SBO in industrializ ed countries is postoperative adhesions (60%), followed by malignancy, Crohn disease, and hernias. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Obstruction can be characterized as either partial or complete versus simple or strangulated. Abdominal pain, often described as crampy and intermittent, is more prevalent in simple obstruction. Usually, pain that occurs for a shorter duration of time and is colicky and accompanied by bilious vomiting may be more proximal. Pain that lasts as long as several days, is progressive in nature, and is accompanied by abdominal distention may be typical of a more distal obstruction. Some signs and symptoms associated with SBO include the following: - Nausea. - Vomiting - Associated more with proximal obstructions. - Diarrhea - An early finding. - Constipation - A late finding, as evidenced by the absence of fl atus or bowel movements. - Fever and tachycardia - Occur late and may be associated with strangulation. - Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, previous radiation therapy, or both - May be part of the patient's medical history. - History of malignancy - Particularl y ovarian and colonic malignancy. DIAGNOSIS Lab Test The following are adjunctive lab tests used in the evaluati on of SBO: - Serum chemistries
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