Post-operative small bowel obstruction

[PinkPoncho]

Please can someone advise me about the main cause of SBO found in a CT scan 2-3 days after abdominal surgery. I thought it would be adhesions, I didn't have post-operative ileus (I think as bowels were working the day after the op, eating ok). I just wanted to check as to why my doctors didn't tell me about it. I was put on liquids I remember for a day or two and also had IV antibiotics for infection, as I had a high temp and fever. In my notes it seems they were not too concerned about the scan although they had discussed it with the radiologists. I was told it was likely I would have infection as the site was contaminated. I had the op for intussusception of the descending colon due to a large lipoma. I had an end to end colorectal anastomosis (not having  a stoma though).

Many thanks

[PinkPoncho]

Thank you Patient, i thought that was the case but wanted to check. Many thanks.

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  An ileus and adhesions/small bowel obstructions are two different processes, both of which are common after an abdominal surgery.  An ileus occurs immediately after surgery and it is when the bowel isn't pushing things through because it needs to "re-set" itself from the operation and the anesthesia given during the operation.  Adhesions/small bowel obstructions take longer to occur and it is because there is a physical blockage in the intestine.  So I would say that it is likely that your obstruction was caused by adhesions, even though you didn't get an ileus.