Book Review
Small‐Bowel Obstruction A Review of 465 Cases
Abstract
AbstractA retrospective review of experience with small-bowel obstruction at the University Hospital in Birmingham for a ten-year period (January 1963 through December 1972) revealed 465 episodes of obstruction in 415 patients. The mortality was 4% in obstruction due to adhesions, and 28% in obstruction caused by carcinoma; overall mortality was 8%. Intra-abdominal adhesions were the cause in 69% of cases. Malignant obstruction (mostly from metastatic disease) was the second most common cause of obstruction, and external hernia was third. Delay in diagnosis and inappropriately prolonged use of long intestinal tubes added to the mortality and can be avoided. We suggest a plan for prompt, consistent diagnosis and recommend more liberal use of the barlum meal in questionable cases.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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