Definition

Intestinal obstruction may be defined as;

A clinical condition due to failure of the intestine (small or large), to pass gas, liquid and solid material.

When we discuss intestinal obstruction, blockage in the esophagus is not included, this is usually termed acute dysphagia or bolus obstruction. Also, blockage to the outlet of the stomach is usually described under gastric outlet obstruction.

Intestinal obstruction is used in this discussion as a generic term to cover all varieties of blockage of the small and large intestines. Some confusion exists in textbooks and among clinicians about terms such as acute, sub-acute and chronic intestinal obstruction. In general, I prefer to not use these terms because of such confusion, however to assist the student I will state what I think they mean;

Acute intestinal obstruction

This term is often used to describe intestinal obstruction of short duration, in a patient who has not previously undergone any abdominal surgery. The importance of lack of previous abdominal surgery is that the obstruction is much less likely to settle on non operative management.

Sub-acute intestinal obstruction

This term is often used to describe intestinal obstruction of short duration, in a patient who has previously undergone abdominal surgery. The importance of previous surgery is that the obstruction is most likely due to adhesions, is often incomplete and will often settle without operative intervention.

Chronic intestinal obstruction

This term is often used to describe intestinal obstruction of longer duration and would typically be seen in a patient with large bowel obstruction who has an incompetent ileo-caecal valve.