Early indications of adhesive small bowel obstruction

The clinical symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction are characteristic and are unlike any type of intra-abdominal disease. The colic is specific in character and different from other forms of abdominal colic. The x-ray is most valuable in confirming the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, in locating the site of the obstruction and in determining to a large extent the nature of the obstruction.The function of the bowel distal to the obstruction is unimpaired and should adequate function take place it does not indicate the absence of obstruction.The urgency of immediate surgery is emphasized in strangulated obstruction in contrast to the feasibility of delaying surgery in advanced simple obstruction until physiological measures and intubation procedures can be adequately employed.