9. What are the different types of mechanical intestinal obstruction?
Both types of obstruction can lead to serious complications and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and constipation. Treatment may involve surgery to remove the obstruction and repair any damage to the…
8. How is the site of a mechanical intestinal obstruction classified?
Correct answer: The site of the obstruction is classified into high or low, which is roughly synonymous with small or large bowel obstruction.
7. What is the relevance of the speed of onset of a mechanical intestinal obstruction?
Correct answer: The speed of onset determines whether the obstruction is acute, chronic or acute on chronic. In acute obstruction the onset is rapid and the symptoms are severe. In chronic obstruction the symptoms are insidious and slowly progressive (as,…
6. Which features suggest that a mechanical obstruction has become strangulated?
Correct answer: (1) Change in character of pain from colicky to continuous; (2) pyrexia; (3) tachycardia; (4) peritonism; (5) leucocytosis; (6) bowel sounds absent or reduced; (7) raised C-reactive protein.
5. What are the four main symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction?
Correct answer: (1) Colicky abdominal pain.(2) Distension.(3) Absolute constipation.(4) Vomiting.
4. What are the three important points to remember about intestinal obstruction?
Correct answer: (1) It is diagnosed by the presence of: colicky abdominal pain, distension, absolute constipation, vomiting.(2) Examination should always include a search for hernias.(3) Is it simple or strangulating? Features suggesting strangulation are: change in character of pain from…
3. How is mechanical obstruction classified?
Correct answer: (1) Speed of onset: acute, chronic, acute on chronic.(2) Site: high or low.(3) Nature: simple versus strangulating.(4) Aetiology.
2. What are the alternative names for paralytic obstruction?
Correct answer: Paralytic or adynamic ileus.
1. What is intestinal obstruction? What are the two main groups?
Correct answer: Intestinal obstruction is a restriction to the normal passage of intestinal contents. It may be divided into two main groups: paralytic and mechanical.
13. What is the surgical treatment for congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis? What is the prognosis?
Correct answer: Ramstedt’s pyloromyotomy. A longitudinal incision is made through the hypertrophied muscle and the cut edges are separated. The infant is given glucose water 3 hours after the operation and this is followed by 3 hourly milk feeds, which…
