Intestinal obstruction as a complication of other operations | OP of a bowel obstruction

Intestinal obstruction as a complication of other operations

About half of all intestinal obstructions are caused by adhesions or clamps. These are proliferating tissues that are formed by the healing process of scars. Especially operations in the abdominal cavity often lead to scarring and the growth of adhesions.

When the adhesions form around a section of the intestinal tube, the diameter of the intestine is constricted, the intestinal contents accumulate and a mechanical ileus develops. This clinical picture is called a postoperative ileus. Various abdominal operations, such as appendectomy, hysterectomy or caesarean section, promote the development of these adhesions, which is why an intestinal obstruction can often occur after a previous operation.

An obstructive ileus is treated surgically by removing the adhesions around the intestine. However, the operation results in new scarring and the intestinal obstruction can reoccur.

All articles in this series:

  1. OP of a bowel obstruction
  2. Duration of the entire healing process
  3. Intestinal obstruction as a complication of other operations