Intestinal obstruction

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Ileus - X-ray of distended bowel and stomach

Ileus - X-ray of bowel distension

Intussusception - X-ray

Volvulus - X-ray

Small bowel obstruction - X-ray

Small bowel resection - series

Intestinal obstruction

Alternative Names:

Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal
Treatment:

The objective of treatment is to decompress the intestine with suction, using a nasogastric (NG) tube inserted into the stomach or intestine. This will relieve abdominal distention and vomiting.

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Surgery to relieve the obstruction may be necessary if decompression by NG tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if tissue death is suspected.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies with the cause of the obstruction.

Complications:

Infection
Gangrene of the bowel
Perforation (hole) in the intestine

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if persistent abdominal distention develops and you are unable to pass stool or gas, or if other symptoms of intestinal obstruction develop.