INTESTINAL-OBSTRUCTION IN A SAUDI-ARABIAN POPULATION

In a six-year period, fiftysix cases of intestinal obstruction seen an d treated at Asir Central Hospital since its inception were analysed, Adhesions from previous laparotomy scar constituted the commonest caus e of intestinal obstruction (57.1%), A distant second is faecal impact ion (7.1%), Previously performed appendicectomy is the commonest cause of adhesions causing intestinal obstruction, The interval between sur gery and intestinal obstruction varies from one month to three years, The pattern of intestinal obstruction seen in this environment is more similar to those in the western World or advanced countries, than the pattern in the developing countries, This can be explained on the bas is of the fact that, even though Saudi Arabia is a developing country, the health care delivery system is similar to those in developed coun tries, Fifty percent of intestinal obstruction due to adhesions were m anaged successfully by conservative treatment only, About 15% had a fa iled conservative treatment and had to undergo operation, In those cas es that required exploration and lysis of adhesions, 43.8% also requir ed bowel resection and re-anastomosis.