Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is the commonly diagnosed disease in the emergency department. The diagnosis and management of small bowel obstruction varies among institutions. The role of laparoscopy in the management of small bowel obstruction is debatable. Aim: To study the profile, clinical features and management options of patients of small bowel obstruction with special emphasis on role of laparoscopy. Material and Methods: 51 consecutive patients with documented small bowel obstruction admitted in our department were studied from June 2016 to December 2018. All the patients above 12 years of age with small bowel obstruction were included. The diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO) was made in these cases by detailed history, clinical examination and investigations. All these patients were received and adequately resuscitated. Non-operative (conservative) treatment was confirmed to those who met the standard parameters for such treatment and early surgical treatment was carried out whenever indicated. The operative procedure done was laparoscopy or open depending on the clinical features and condition of patient. Results: In our study, 51 patients mean age was 44.7 years with 27 Males and 24 females. 28 (54.9%) patients of our study presented with continuous abdominal pain followed by colicky pain in 23 (45.1%) patients. 34 (66.7%) patients on admission gave history of effortless vomiting. Distension of abdomen was present in 30 (58.8%) patients and constipation was present in 40 (78.4%) of our studied patients. On CT scan interloop fluid was present in 23 (45.1%) patients while transition point was present in 31 (60.8%) patients. Adhesion obstruction was found to be most common cause of obstruction 27 (52.9%) patients, followed by malignancy in 8 (15.7). 25 (49.0%) patients were managed conservatively and 26 (51%) were operated. 11 (21.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis and 15 (29.4%) underwent exploratory laparotomy. The average operative time, recovery of bowel moments, hospital stay, and post-operative complications were less in the laparoscopic group than open group with statically significant difference between the two. Conclusion: Post-operative adhesion obstruction is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopy is a safe and effective tool for the management of acute intestinal obstruction provided it is performed in selected patients by skilled surgeon.
Small bowel obstruction is defined as a partial or complete interference with the passage of stool distally in the small intestine [
Small bowel obstruction is mainly of two types [
The cardinal symptoms that characterize mechanical small bowel obstruction include colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension and obstipation (failure of passage of flatus and faeces) [
In addition to very careful and thorough history and physical examination, all patients require base line laboratory tests including complete blood counts serum electrolytes and x-ray abdomen standing and supine. Plane radiograph of abdomen is an important diagnostic tool. Radiographs have accuracy of 67% - 83% in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, with reported sensitivity of 64% - 68% and specificity of 79% - 83% [
Fluoroscopy and follow-through examination with oral contrast agents have a limited role in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction but may be useful in determining the severity of obstruction [
Computed tomography scanning is 80% - 90% sensitive and 70% - 90% specific in the detection of small bowel obstruction [
Initial treatment consists of aggressive fluid resuscitation, bowel decompression, administration of analgesia and antiemetics. Almost all patients benefit from an initial 12 - 14 hours of resuscitation and decompression in case of complete obstruction; resuscitation and decompression can usually be extended for a longer period of time in those patients with partial obstruction who exhibit no signs of progression. Because of the inability to detect reversible ischemia, there is a substantial risk of progression to irreversible ischemia when surgery is delayed for an extended period of time, especially in suspected complete obstruction [
The administration of hypertonic water-soluble contrast agents, such as gastrograffin used in upper GI and small-bowel follow-through examinations, causes a shift of fluid into the intestinal lumen, thereby increasing the pressure gradient across the site of obstruction. This effect may accelerate resolution of partial small bowel obstruction, however, whether administration of water-soluble contrast agents increases the probability that an episode of bowel obstruction can be successfully managed non-operatively remains controversial and requires further study.
A strangulated obstruction is a surgical emergency. In patients with a complete small bowel obstruction, the risk of strangulation is high and early surgical intervention is warranted. Patients with simple complete obstruction in whom non-operative trails fail, also need surgical treatment.
The most important factor predicting the recurrence of small bowel obstruction is the number of prior episodes. Non-operative management appears reasonable for stable patients who are having their first episode. Operative strategies appear best for those experiencing second episode. Neither strategy yields acceptable out comes in patients experiencing third or later episodes [
Post-operative adhesions are the most frequent cause of small bowel obstruction. Even after operative intervention for small bowel obstruction recurrences are common. Laparoscopy is believed to reduce the risk of adhesions compared to laparotomy. Laparoscopy has revolutionized the elective management of many surgical conditions and results in reduced morbidity and shorter hospital stays. Advances in technology and increased experience have made laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction possible. However, laparotomy remains the standard surgical approach to acute small bowel obstruction. Small bowel obstruction has been seen as a relative contraindication for minimal access surgery. This is due to the belief that in the presence of distended bowel, which reduces visibility and increases the risk of bowel injury, the conversion rates and morbidity would be unacceptable [
Laparoscopy is known to cause fewer intra-abdominal adhesions than open surgery. Laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction was first described by Bastug et al. [
Adhesions from prior surgery are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction. The incidence of an adhesive small bowel obstruction after open abdominal surgery is between 12% and 17%. Historically, laparotomy and open adhesiolysis have been the treatment for patients requiring surgery for small bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, this often leads to further formation of intra-abdominal adhesions with approximately 10% - 30% of patients requiring another laparotomy for recurrent bowel obstruction [
Laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction has a number of potential advantages like lesser postoperative pain, quicker return of intestinal function, shorter hospital stay, reduced recovery time, earlier return to full activity, fewer wound complications and decreased postoperative adhesion formation. Although laparoscopic adhesiolysis have many potential advantages, the most important aspect to a successful outcome is proper patient’s selection and surgical judgement. When reviewing the literature, there are no clear guidelines that state which patients are best for laparoscopic adhesiolysis, however, there are several factors that have been shown to predict a successful outcome.
Our hospital is a high volume centre. No such study has been undertaken in our population, so we have undertaken this study to look at the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy in such cases in our hospital.
1) To study patient profile and clinical features and management options of patients of small bowel obstruction.
2) To study role and feasibility of laparoscopy in small bowel obstruction.
Study Design: Prospective Observational Study.
Study Area: The study was conducted in the department of General and Minimal Access Surgery, Sher-i-kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar.
Study Population: Patients above 12 years of age belonging to either of the sex with documented small bowel obstruction were taken up for the study.
Study Sample: Our study consisted of 51 consecutive patients with documented small bowel obstruction admitted in our department.
Study Duration: The study was conducted from June 2016 to December 2018.
Inclusion Criteria: All patients above 12 years of age with small bowel obstruction.
Exclusion Criteria: All patients below 12 years of age with small bowel obstruction.
The diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO) was made in our study by detailed history, clinical examination and investigations. All the patients were subjected to base line investigations which included complete haemogram, urine analysis, blood urea, serum creatinine, liver function test, serum electrolytes, Electrocardiography, X-ray chest, X-ray abdomen and Ultrasonography. All the patients were subjected to Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of abdomen.
All these patients were received and resuscitated by conventional methods of intravenous fluids, nasogastric suction and broad spectrum antibiotics while preparing patients for surgery. A special emphasis was laid on ensuring good functions of kidney by monitoring adequate urine output.
The management of patients as individualized, non-operative (conservative) treatment was confirmed to those who met the standard parameters for such treatment and early surgical treatment was carried out whenever indicated. The operative procedure done was laparoscopy or open depending on the clinical features and condition of patient. There was no hesitation for conversion (laparoscopic to open) if needed.
On satisfactory response to conservative treatment, patients were allowed oral feeds only when intestines start functioning (i.e. appearance of bowel sounds and passing of flatus/stools). On complete resolution of symptoms, patients were discharged and attached to Out Patient Department (OPD) fallow up.
Patients, who were subjected to surgery, were strictly monitored in post-operative period. Postoperative antibiotics were used in all cases. All the patients were fallowed weekly for first month followed by monthly basis for next 6 months on outpatient basis.
The recorded data was compiled and entered in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) and then exported to data editor of SPSS Version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Continuous variables were expressed as Mean ± SD and categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Graphically the data was presented by bar diagrams. Student’s independent t-test was employed for comparing continuous variables. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, whichever appropriate, was applied for comparing categorical variables. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All P-values were two tailed.
In our study of 51 patients, 2 (3.9%) patients were <20 years of age, 12 (23.5%) patients aged 20 - 34 years, 16 (31.4%) patients were 35 - 49 years, and 14 (27.5%) patients were 50 - 64 years. There were 7 (13.7%) patients who aged ≥ 65 years. The mean age in our study population was 44.7 years. Males were little more in our study than females, 27 (52.9%) vs. 24 (47.1%).
28 (54.9%) patients of our study presented with continuous abdominal pain followed by colicky pain in 23 (45.1%) patients. 34 (66.7%) patients on admission gave history of effortless vomiting while as 6 (11.8%) patients had projectile and 6 (11.8) patients gave history of sudden vomiting. 5 (9.8%) patients had no history of vomiting at all. Distension of abdomen was present in 30 (58.8%) patients and constipation was present in 40 (78.4%) of our studied patients.
On CT scan interloop fluid was present in 23 (45.1%) patients while transition point was present in 31 (60.8%) patients. 16 (31.4%) patients had 3 - 4 cm diameter of bowl on CECT findings (
Adhesion obstruction was found to be most common cause of obstruction, and was in 27 (52.9%) patients fallowed by malignancy in 8 (15.7%) as shown in
Against a total of 51 patients, adhesion obstruction was seen in 27 patients of which 13 (48.14%) patients underwent surgery, 3 (60%) of 5 patients with fecaloma were also operated. In 8 malignancy patients, 5 (62.5%) underwent surgery leaving 3 patients who had diffuse peritoneal metastasis and could not be operated upon. Two (100%) patients with phytobezarand 2 (66%) out of 3 patients with tuberculosis underwent surgery. Patients with crohn’s disease and worm obstruction were managed conservatively. There was only one patient with Para duodenal hernia and had to underwent surgery (
Regarding management of our cases of small bowel obstruction, out of 51 patients 25 (49.0%) were managed conservatively and 26 (51%) were operated. Patients who were managed conservatively were closely monitored for any signs of strangulation like tachycardia, local abdominal tenderness, fever, leucocytosis and acidosis. 11 (21.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis and 15 (29.4%) underwent exploratory laparotomy.
An average operative time for laparoscopic adhesiolysis was 84.5 minutes and explorative laparotomy was 134.3 minutes as shown in
Patients who underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis had mean hospital stay of 7.8 days while as patients who had undergone explorative laparotomy were discharged after 15 days as shown in
Mean time (days) for return of bowel sounds was 1.3 ± 0.504 days in laparoscopic adhesiolysis and 2.1 ± 0.743 days in exploratory laparotomy as shown in
Mean time (days) for passage of flatus/stools was 2.5 ± 0.786 days in laparoscopic adhesiolysiss and 3.6 ± 0.899 days in exploratory laparotomy as shown in
Postoperative obstruction was seen in 1 (9.1%) patients of laparoscopic adhesiolysis while as 3 (20%) patients suffered postoperative obstruction in exploratory laparotomy group. Anastomotic leakage was seen again in 3 (20.0%) patients of exploratory laparotomy, small bowel tear and postoperative ileus was seen in 1 (9.1%) patients each in laparoscopic group. Wound infection was seen in 4 (26.7%) in exploratory laparotomy group as shown in
There was no mortality in laparoscopic adhesiolysis group while as only 1 (6.7%) patient in exploratory laparotomy group due to post-operative sepsis.
CT Findings | Frequency | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
Interloop Fluid | Present | 23 | 45.1 |
Absent | 28 | 54.9 | |
Transition Point | Present | 31 | 60.8 |
Absent | 20 | 39.2 | |
Diameter of Bowl (cm) | 2 - 3 | 13 | 25.5 |
3 - 4 | 16 | 31.4 | |
Mean ± SD | 2.9 ± 0.57 |
Etiology | Frequency | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Adhesion obstruction | 27 | 52.9 |
Fecaloma | 5 | 9.8 |
Malignancy | 8 | 15.7 |
Phytobezar | 2 | 3.9 |
Crohn’s disease | 3 | 5.9 |
Tuberculosis | 3 | 5.9 |
Para duodenal hernia | 1 | 2.0 |
Worm obstruction | 2 | 3.9 |
Total | 51 | 100 |
Operative time (Minutes) | N | Mean | SD | Range | P-value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LAP | 11 | 84.5 | 13.51 | 65 - 105 | <0.001* |
E/L | 15 | 134.3 | 13.62 | 115 - 160 |
*Statistically Significant Difference (P-value < 0.05).
Hospital Stay (Days) | N | Mean | SD | Range | P-value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LAP | 11 | 7.8 | 2.48 | 4 - 11 | <0.001* |
E/L | 15 | 15 | 5.73 | 8 - 26 |
*Statistically Significant Difference (P-value < 0.05).
Time (Days) | LAP | E/L | P-value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | %age | No. | %age | ||
Day 1 | 7 | 63.6 | 5 | 33.3 | 0.004* |
Day 2 | 4 | 36.4 | 7 | 46.7 | |
Day 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 20.0 | |
Total | 11 | 100 | 15 | 100 | |
Mean ± SD | 1.3 ± 0.504 | 2.1 ± 0.743 |
*Statistically Significant Difference (P-value < 0.05).
Time (Days) | LAP | E/L | P-value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | %age | No. | %age | ||
Day 2 | 5 | 45.5 | 3 | 20.0 | 0.003* |
Day 3 | 4 | 36.4 | 5 | 33.3 | |
Day 4 | 2 | 18.2 | 6 | 40.0 | |
Day 5 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 6.7 | |
Total | 11 | 100 | 15 | 100 | |
Mean ± SD | 2.5 ± 0.786 | 3.6 ± 0.899 |
*Statistically Significant Difference (P-value < 0.05).
Complications | Laparoscopic (LAP) | Exploratory Laparatomy (E/L) | P-value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | %age | No. | %age | ||
Post-OperativeObstruction | 1 | 9.1 | 3 | 20.0 | 0.604 |
Small bowel Tear in Jejunum | 1 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 1.000 |
Post-operative ileus | 1 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 1.000 |
Peritonitis | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 13.3 | 0.492 |
Anastomotic leakage | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 20.0 | 0.238 |
Urinary retention | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 6.7 | 1.000 |
Wound infection | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 26.7 | 0.113 |
On fallow up none of our patients developed recurrence among laparoscopic group. Only two patients in open group developed sub-acute intestinal obstruction during six month fallow up. Both the patients were managed conservatively.
Acute small bowel obstruction is a significant cause of emergency surgical admission and morbidity. Postoperative adhesions are the most frequent cause. Even after operative intervention for small bowel obstruction, recurrences are common. Laparoscopy is believed to reduce the risk of adhesions compared to laparotomy.
Similar to our results, many studies in which laparoscopic adhesiolysis and open adhesiolysis have been compared against each other have yielded results favouring the laparoscopic method [
The patients in the present study were aged between 20 to 70 years with a mean age of 44.7 years. Maximum numbers of patient were between 35 - 49 years old (31.4%). The higher mean age may be due to fact that children below 12 years of age were excluded in our study. In our study, there were 27 (52.9%) males and 24 (47.1%) female patients. The clinical spectrum of our cases was similar to that seen in Meena LN et al. (2018) [
In our study, there were 28 (54.9%) patients who presented with continuous abdominal pain while as 23 (45.1%) came with colicky pain. 40 (78.4%) patients in our study had constipation. Our results are almost similar to study of Mitra A et al. (2018) [
In our study 34 (66.7%) patients on admission gave history of effortless vomiting followed by projectile and sudden vomiting in 6 (11.8%) patients each. A study done by Chen SC et al. [
In our study, adhesion obstruction was found in 27 (52.9%) patients, malignancy in 8 (15.7%) patients, fecaloma in 5 (9.8%) patients, crohn’s disease and tuberculosis were found in 3 (5.9%) patients each, worm obstruction in 2 (3.9%) patients while as paraduodenal hernia was found in 1 (2.0%) patients. Our results are comparable with the findings of Sarr MG et al. [
On CT scan inter-loop fluid was present in 23 (45.1%) patients and absent in 28 (54.9%) patients. Transition point was present in 31 (60.8%) patients and absent in 20 (39.2%) patients. 16 (31.4%) patients had 3 - 4 cm diameter of bowl while as 2 - 3 cm diameter of bowl was found in 13 (25.5%) patients. Reddy SRR et al. [
There were 25 (49%) patients in our study who were managed conservatively while as 11 (21.6%) patients had undergone laparoscopic adhesiolysis and 15 (29.4%) underwent exploratory laparotomy. Meena LN et al. [
An average operative time for laparoscopic adhesiolysis was 84.5 minutes and explorative laparotomy was 134.3 minutes. The difference was statistically significant. Otani K et al. [
Patients who underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysiss stay postoperatively in hospitals for 7.8 days while as patients who underwent explorative laparotomy were discharged after an average of 15 days. This was statistically significant. Our results are somewhat similar to that of Miller G et al. [
In our study mean time (days) for passage of flatus/stools after surgery was 2.5 ± 0.786 days in laparoscopic adhesiolysiss and 3.6 ± 0.899 days in exploratory laparotomy. Khaikin et al. [
Postoperative obstruction was seen in 1 (9.1%) patients of laparoscopic adhesiolysis while as 3 (20%) patients developed postoperative obstruction in exploratory laparotomy group. Anastomotic leakage was seen again in 3 (20.0%) patients of exploratory laparotomy. Small bowel tear in jejunum, postoperative ileus were found in 1 (9.1%) each in laparoscopic adhesiolysiss group. Wound infection was found in 4 (26.7%) patients in exploratory laparotomy group while as there was no patients with wound infection in laparoscopic adhesiolysis group. Wullstein C et al. (2003) [
There was no mortality in laparoscopic adhesiolysiss group while as only 1 (6.7%) patient died in exploratory laparotomy group. The 30-day mortality rate of 4.7% in the open adhesiolysis group compared with 1.3% in the laparoscopic adhesiolysisgroup was observed by Kelly KN et al., (2014) [
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common reason for admission in our emergency department. Laparoscopy is safe and effective tool for the management of acute intestinal obstruction provided performed by skilled surgeons and in selected patients. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction has number of potential advantages like less operative pain, quicker return of intestinal function, shorter hospital stay, reduced recovery time, fewer wound complications and decreased postoperative adhesion formation. However, despite the fact that it is so commonly used and technically advanced, SBO is still a condition where the use of laparoscopy is limited in everyday practice mainly to selected cases such as adhesive SBO caused by single adhesions or foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. The limitation of laparoscopy is its use in complicated SBO and therefore high conversion rate.
The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Mir, S.A., Wani, R.A., Hassan, Y., Parray, F.Q. and Chowdri, N.A. (2019) Etiology and Management of Small Bowel Obstruction with Special Reference to Role of Laparoscopy―A Single Centre Experience. Surgical Science, 10, 113-126. https://doi.org/10.4236/ss.2019.104015