Aetiopathologiacl Pattern of Intestinal Obstruction among Different Age Group

Background: Intestinal obstruction demands early diagnosis and proper management to reduce morbidity and mortality. The morbidity and mortality is still high despite modern medical and technical facilities. This study was undertaken to highlight the aetiopathological pattern of intestinal obstruction among different age group for early diagnosis and management. Thus reducing the fatal outcome by preventing complications. Objective: To evaluate aetiopathological pattern of intestinal obstruction among different age group. Methods: This cross sectional observation study was done in the Surgery Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from July 2008 to 2009. Total 150 cases of clinically diagnosed obstruction were included in this study. All cases were clinically evaluated followed by thorough investigations and their causes were established. The final diagnoses were based on preoperative findings and in some cases histopathological findings of the respected specimen. Result: 150 Patients were included in this study with the median age 34.5+10.9 years. Male to Female ratio3:1.Clinical diagnosis demonstrates that nearly half(48%) of the patients had inguinal hernia,13.3% had post operative bands and adhesions,12.5% had intestinal; tuberculosis,12.7% had intestinal maligacy, 6.7% had volvulus of sigmoid colon. In this study of association of causes of intestinal obstruction in relation to age showed that young adults (Age-35 or below) had higher frequency of inguinial hernia (55.2%) compared to those that were middle aged or elderly (more than 35 years of age) P<0.05 indicating significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: This study showed inguinal hernia to be significant cause of intestinal obstruction in young adults compared to those who were middle-aged or elderly. Inguinal hernia though always not complicates but it should be taken seriously as a potential cause of intestinal obstruction and elective operation should be advocated whenever .......