Comparison of Mechanical Bowel Obstruction Cases of Intra-abdominal Tumor and Non-tumoral Origin

Mechanical bowel obstruction cases constitute an important place in emergency health care services. In this study, bowel obstructions caused by intra-abdominal tumors were compared with those without tumoral causes.

A total of 155 cases of mechanical bowel obstruction diagnosed were retrospectively evaluated. The cases resulting from abdominal wall hernias were excluded. Neoplasia cases were classified as group I, and all other cases as group II.

Group I totaled 46 patients (30%); group II, 109 (70%). The difference between two groups in terms of gender was found to be statistically insignificant, but the difference in terms of age range was significant (P < 0.05). The etiology of group II cases included intra-abdominal strictures (n = 68), volvulus (n = 15), internal herniation (n = 7), Meckel’s diverticulum (n = 7), tuberculous peritonitis (n = 4), foreign body (n = 4), invagination (n = 2), and inflammatory bowel disease (n = 2). Previous surgical operations had been performed in 9 patients (19%) of group I and 52 patients (47%) of group II. The difference between two groups in terms of bowel obstruction localization was significant (χ²: 37.78, P < 0.0001). Group I had a significantly higher morbidity and mortality than group II (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001).

Non-tumoral cases causing intra-abdominal mechanical bowel obstruction occur mostly in younger people and in patients with previous surgical operation. Patients in older ages or who haven’t had any surgical intervention must be operated as soon as possible because of the high rate of malignancy.