Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2012 Dec;25(4):200-3.
doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1329533.

Management of colonic obstruction: a review

Rebecca S Sawai  1
Affiliations
Review

Management of colonic obstruction: a review

Rebecca S Sawai. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Large bowel obstruction is a common problem with many different causes, the most common being colorectal adenocarcinoma, extracolonic adenocarcinoma, diverticular disease, volvulus, and inflammatory bowel disease. The nature of the obstruction can influence the best management. Historically, treatment of obstruction consisted of surgical removal of the obstruction if possible and decompression of the bowel with an ostomy. Other strategies for managing obstruction have evolved as alternatives to stomas, including primary resection with anastomosis and endoscopic stent placement. The choice of treatment can therefore be tailored to the individual patient with good success.

Keywords: colectomy; colostomy; endoscopic stent; large bowel obstruction; management.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Smothers L, Hynan L, Fleming J, Turnage R, Simmang C, Anthony T. Emergency surgery for colon carcinoma. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003;46(1):24–30. - PubMed
    1. Gordon P Malignant neoplasms of the colon 3rded. New York: Informa Healthcare USA, Inc; 2007489–643.
    1. Melzig E P, Terz J J. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Arch Surg. 1978;113(10):1186–1190. - PubMed
    1. Vanek V W, Al-Salti M. Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie's syndrome). An analysis of 400 cases. Dis Colon Rectum. 1986;29(3):203–210. - PubMed
    1. Saunders M D. Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2007;17(2):341–360, vi–vii. - PubMed