CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF INTESTINAL-OBSTRUCTION IN A SAUDI-ARABIAN HOSPITAL

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.