[Diagnosis and treatment of an intestinal obstruction]

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction, revealed by obstruction syndrome, is defined by the cessation of the bowel function whatever the cause. Bowel obstructions are one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalisation in digestive system surgery. They represent a surgical emergency. Diagnosis must enable the obstruction to be confirmed and its mechanisms and location to be specified. The treatment must always include restoring water-electrolyte balance, particularly in elderly people.

Keywords: bowel transit; chirurgie digestive; digestive system surgery; intestinal obstruction; obstruction syndrome; occlusion intestinale; surgical emergency; syndrome occlusif; transit intestinal; urgence chirurgicale.