• Can occur at any level, the small intestine is most frequent
  • Most bowel obstruction cases do not involve tumors
  • Will present with pain, distension, and foul-smelling vomit
  • Must be treated to prevent infarction and rupturing

Etiology

  • Intussusception
  • Adhesions (the most common cause; fibrous bands attaching adjacent parts of the intestine, disrupting their movement)
  • Hernias
  • Volvulus (incarceration of part of the bowel due to a congenital defect

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