How long is the healing time of an intestinal obstruction?
How long the healing period after an intestinal obstruction is can vary greatly. A younger person with few previous illnesses has better chances of a quick recovery than an older or already seriously ill patient. The duration of healing also depends on the cause and the measures taken. In the case of a paralyzed intestinal wall as the cause of the obstruction, which can be remedied promptly, the healing period is often only a few weeks. However, if a serious operation became necessary, in which sections of the intestine were removed and an artificial intestinal outlet had to be created, a healing period of many months is not uncommon.
Prophylaxis
Usually, intestinal obstruction does not affect a healthy person, which is why in the case of responsible risk factors (age, tumour, hernia, fibre-rich diet, low fluid intake, chronic intestinal diseases, previous operations, cystic fibrosis, medication, etc. ), the focus is only on reducing or treating them if they are already known.
Forecast
The mortality rate of intestinal obstruction (ileus) is estimated at 10-25% and is highly dependent on the time between its onset and the initiation of appropriate treatment. If this treatment is started quickly, the prognosis regarding survival is good, but new obstructions are to be expected, since not all triggering factors can always be completely eliminated and especially the ileus of the bridge is prone to recurrence. The long-term consequences of an intestinal obstruction can be very different and depend mainly on how quickly the obstruction was detected and treated, which therapy was necessary (operation or only medication) and in what general state of health the patient was in before the disease.
For example, a drug-induced intestinal obstruction can often be cured without long-term consequences if measures are taken in time. If, however, an operation is necessary, part of the intestine often has to be removed and lifelong digestive disorders can result. In some cases, an artificial bowel outlet must also be created. This can often be repositioned in the course of the operation, but in some cases it must remain in place.
Intestinal obstruction in the baby
In small children up to the age of three, but usually within the first year of life, an intestinal obstruction can also occur due to the invagination of a part of the intestine (so-called intussusception). Boys are almost twice as often affected as girls. The cause is unknown in most cases, the children are healthy and inconspicuous by then.
Possible causes are, for example, the swallowing of foreign bodies or previous viral infections. Affected children suffer from undulating abdominal pain, bloated stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea and paleness. They cry a lot, appear anxious and tense.
Some children also have a bloody mucus discharge from the intestines. Typically, the pain is colicky and there are painless intervals of a few minutes between episodes. Because of the severe pain, the children often put their legs on.
Such an intestinal obstruction must be repaired as soon as possible. Often a hard roll in the lower abdomen can be palpated in children. The doctor can also take an X-ray or ultrasound picture.
Sometimes the invagination can already be loosened by intestinal massage or enema, but in some cases it reoccurs again. If these methods do not resolve the intestinal obstruction, the child must be operated on. Ideally, this should be done in the first 48 hours after the symptoms appear.
During this procedure, as in adults, the intestine is brought back into its correct position. After the operation, the child must first be monitored in the intensive care unit. During this time, the child is fed by infusions until the intestine has fully recovered and can resume its function.
The intestinal obstruction usually heals without complications. As a preventive measure, parents should ensure that their child has a sufficient fluid intake, as well as sufficient exercise and a balanced diet. In addition, small parts that can be swallowed should be kept away from the child’s environment.
