Abstract:
BACKGROUD: Intra-abdominal adhesions after abdominal surgery are a significant unsolved
issue. They are the most common cause of intestinal blockage in the small intestine. Clinical
assessment, water-soluble contrast follow-up, and computed tomography scans are used to make
the diagnosis. There is good evidence to support non-operative therapy for individuals with no
indications of strangulation, peritonitis, or significant intestinal damage. In cases of suspected
strangulation or after failed conservative management, open surgery is the preferred option for
surgical treatment of sticky small intestinal obstruction. The primary contemporary notions of
adhesion prevention are "good" surgical technique and anti-adhesive barriers. Because there are
few studies in our country and in the study area, this study will aid in establishing an
understanding of the prevalence and treatment outcome of adhesive small bowel obstruction at
JUMC, as well as benefit future researchers as a reference and guide for those who have
undergone similar studies.
Objective: To assess prevalence and treatment outcome of adhesive small bowel obstruction
admitted to the JUMC from January 1 to December 31, 2021.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at JUMC on all patients with the diagnosis
of adhesive small bowel obstruction from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Data was collected
by using structured questionnaire from the patients and their chart. Data was entered to SPSS
updated version 26. Descriptive and analytic studies were performed. P value ≤ 0.05 with 95%
confidence interval (CI) was used to interpret the findings.
Result: A Total of 117 patients were included in this study with male to female ratio of 2:1.The
age ranges from 18 to 88, majority of patients were in their 3rd and 4th decade of life. The leading
cause of small bowel obstruction was adhesion 52(44.5%) followed by small bowel volvulus
46(39.4%).Of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction, 69.6% were managed surgically and 30.4%
were treated conservatively. Surgical site infections were the most common post-operative
complications (7.7%) and mortality rates was 5.7%.
Conclusion: Adhesion was found to be the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in
surgical patients presenting JUMC. Most of patients with Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction
were surgically managed. Surgical site infection is the most common post-operative
complications and mortality rate of 5.7%. All surgeons and residents operating abdomen and
pelvic should try to minimize known risks of adhesions.
