Large bowel obstruction

Large bowel obstruction is a surgical emergency which must be quickly differentiated from pseudo-obstruction to ensure that timely and correct treatment is provided.

Patient age helps determine most likely cause.

Consider malignancy in all patients who present with large bowel obstruction.

Suspect bowel perforation where there is persistent tachycardia, fever, and/or abdominal pain and tenderness.

Surgical emergency where a mechanical interruption (either complete or partial) occurs to the flow of intestinal contents, with multiple potential causes (e.g., malignant colorectal disease, colonic volvulus, benign stricture). This topic covers acquired obstruction in adults.