Ay. Mohamed et al., CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF INTESTINAL-OBSTRUCTION IN A SAUDI-ARABIAN HOSPITAL, Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 42(1), 1997, pp. 21-23
A retrospective review of 84 cases of intestinal obstruction admitted
to the National Guard Hospital over a period of 10 years was carried o
ut. The main causes of obstruction were: post-operative adhesions, 38
patients (45%); hernia, 17 (20%); pseudo-obstruction, eight (9.5%); in
tussusception, six (7%); malignant obstruction, four (4.8%); inflammat
ory obstruction, three (3.6%); volvulus, three (3.6%); and others, fiv
e (6%). Large bowel obstruction occurred in only 16 patients (19%). Su
rgical intervention was necessary in 61 patients (73%) while 23 patien
ts (27%) responded to conservative treatment. Postoperative complicati
ons occurred in 14 patients (17%). The main complications were: wound
infection, chest infection, prolonged ileus and intestinal fistulae. T
he mortality rate was 3.5%. The pattern of small bowel obstruction in
Saudi Arabia is similar to that in the West, while large bowel obstruc
tion is rather uncommon.