This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical features of small bowel obstruction

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Symptoms of small bowel obstruction include:

  • abdominal pain, colicky, i.e. returns to normal periodically. Felt in mid-abdomen. Need to know site, radiation, duration and relieving factors.
  • no flatus; constipation is present
  • distention, early in the course of the illness if the obstruction is high
  • vomiting, again earlier in the course if the obstruction is relatively proximal in the bowel

Signs of obstruction include:

  • general appearance: dehydration due to loss of fluid from ECF when vomiting. The gastrointestinal tract secretes 6 litres of fluid per day and during obstruction, this tends to be sequestered. Hypovolaemia may result in hypotension and tachycardia.
  • inspection and palpation may reveal scars, distension, peristalsis, hernias, but no tenderness. If the blood supply is cut off then there can be congestion, ischaemia, necrosis/gangrene and perforation; tenderness develops.
  • auscultation: hyperactive - borborygmus - or ileus
  • rectal examination: may be empty after 24 to 48 hours of symptoms

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page