abdominal pain

Could adhesions cause temporary impingement on the bowel causing severe pain and constipation that spontaneously goes away in 1-2 days?  Previous surgeries include hysterectomy and abdominal radiation for uterine cancer 40+ years ago, gallbladder surgery 30+ years ago and colon resection for cancer 10 years ago.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Adhesions can cause bowel obstruction with symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting.
If the obstruction is partial, relief can be be obtained without surgery.
But usually decompression with nasogastric tube is necessary.