Which condition would be considered a cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction Quizlet

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.

Obstruction of the bowel may be due to:

• A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
• Ileus, a condition in which the bowel does not work correctly, but there is no structural problem causing it

Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:

• Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
• Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium level)
• Abdominal surgery
• Decreased blood supply to the intestines
• Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
• Kidney or lung disease
• Use of certain medicines, especially narcotics

Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:

• Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
• Foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines)
• Gallstones (rare)
• Hernias
• Impacted stool
• Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
• Tumors blocking the intestines
• Volvulus (twisted intestine)

Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine. This is to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum.

Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms. It may also be needed if there are signs of tissue death.

The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time, the cause is successfully treated.

Complications may include or may lead to:

• Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
• Dehydration
• Hole (perforation) in the intestine
• Infection
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.

In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is a life-threatening condition. It may lead to blood and lung infections.

Call your provider if you:

• Cannot pass stool or gas
• Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not go away
• Keep vomiting
• Have unexplained abdominal pain that does not go away

Prevention depends on the cause. Treating conditions, such as tumors and hernias that can lead to a blockage, may reduce your risk.

Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented.

Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal; Colonic ileus; Small bowel obstruction

Harris JW, Evers BM. Small intestine. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 49.

Mahmoud NN, Bleier JIS, Aarons CB, Paulson EC, Shanmugan S, Fry RD. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 51.

Mustain WC, Turnage RH. Intestinal obstruction. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 123.

Updated by: Bradley J. Winston, MD, board certified in gastroenterology and hepatology, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What Is A Bowel Obstruction?

A bowel obstruction can be a serious condition, which can occur in the large or small bowel. A small bowel obstruction commonly occurs where loops of intestine can easily get blocked or twisted. A blockage can be partial or total, mechanical (caused by an object) or non-mechanical (caused by paralysis of movement to the bowel). A blockage can stop the passageway of all food, liquid and gas and cause considerable pain.

Small Bowel Obstruction Condition

There are many reasons why a small bowel obstruction may happen including:

• Mechanical obstruction
• Adhesions – fibrous tissues that develops usually after abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Volvulus – otherwise known as a twisted bowel
• Intussusception – ‘telescoping’ of the bowel, when a segment of bowel pushes into another segment causing it to collapse
• Tumours – more likely in the large bowel. Small bowel cancer is still relatively rare
• Hernias – which can cause strangulation of the bowel
• Swallowed objects – Foreign objects swallowed by children can get stuck in the bowel
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease – diseases like Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis can cause strictures or narrowing in the bowel which can cause obstructions
• Impacted stool
• Infection
• Diverticulitis

Non-mechanical obstruction

A non-mechanical obstruction is also referred to as ‘ileus’ or ‘paralytic ileus’, this is when the natural movement of the bowel called peristalsis fails to happen. Ileus is usually temporary. Some medical conditions can cause this to have a long term effect and this is called ‘Intestinal pseudo-obstruction. This can be caused by:

• Abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Infections such as gastroenteritis or appendicitis
• Opioid pain medications such as morphine or codeine
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Hirschsprung’s Disease
• Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of a bowel obstruction or a small bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction symptoms of a bowel obstruction can be painful and distressing. You may experience the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain, cramps and bloating
• Decreased appetite or inability to eat
• Nausea and/ or vomiting
• Inability to pass gas or stool
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Abdominal swelling

A bowel obstruction becomes an emergency if your abdominal pain increases and you start to experience a fever. This could be a sign of intestinal rupture, which can become life threatening.

How is a bowel obstruction diagnosed?
Your doctor may feel around your stomach to feel for any obvious signs of swelling or a lump. You may be sent for x-rays or a CT Scan to see if there is anything causing an obstruction. You may also have a colonoscopy, which is a camera inserted via the rectum to view the inside of the colon to check for any abnormalities.

THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS A GUIDE ONLY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU SPEAK TO YOUR GP OR A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY TREATMENTS.

To find out about treatments for a bowel obstruction and further resources, click the links above to navigate to the pages.

Which condition would be considered a cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction?

What is the most common cause of mechanical obstruction?

Which of the following is a common cause of mechanical small intestine obstruction?

What is mechanical intestinal obstruction?