A Study of Clinico-Epidemiological Profile, Management and Outcome of Acute Intestinal Obstruction in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Acute intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common surgical emergency characterized by the partial or complete blockage of the intestines, leading to impaired passage of intestinal contents and significant morbidity if not promptly managed. Aims: Acute intestinal obstruction is a common surgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis, perioperative management, and surgical skill to achieve favorable outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the causes, clinicepidemiological features, and severity indicators of intestinal obstruction, as well as to assess patient outcomes following conservative and surgical management. Materials & Methods: This was a prospective clinical study conducted at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, Midnapore, from 1st April 2021 to 1st October 2022. The study included a total of 100 patients diagnosed with acute intestinal obstruction. Result: The most frequent diagnosis was obstructed hernia in 35 patients (35%), followed by adhesions in 18 patients (18%), sigmoid volvulus in 12 patients (12%), growths in 14 patients (14%), ileal strictures/TB in 8 patients (8%), intussusception in 6 patients (6%), small gut gangrene in 3 patients (3%), and other causes in 4 patients (4%) (p < 0.00001). In our study, postoperative complications were observed in a minority of patients, with 64 patients (64%) experiencing no complications. Wound infection occurred in 20 patients (20%), wound gaping in 10 patients (10%), and death was reported in 6 patients (6%)it was highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: We conclude that, the most common diagnosis was obstructed hernia, followed by adhesions, sigmoid volvulus, neoplastic growths, ileal strictures/TB, intussusception, small gut gangrene, and other less frequent causes. Postoperative complications were relatively uncommon, with the majority of patients experiencing an uneventful recovery. The most frequently observed complications included wound infection, wound dehiscence, and mortality. Overall, the outcomes suggest that while surgical intervention carries inherent risks, most patients recover without significant postoperative complications.