How do you fix bowel obstruction

You will likely be asked to sign consent forms at this time as well. Depending on the scope of the procedure, bowel obstruction surgery can take from an hour up to three and a half hours.

Prior to surgery, you will change into a hospital gown and have an IV inserted into your vein so you can receive the fluids and medications that you need. You will be transported to the operating room and moved to the operating table. Your anesthesia provider will first give you an IV sedative to help you relax.

Then an endotracheal tube breathing tube will be inserted through your mouth and into your windpipe before it's connected to the ventilator to help you breathe during the procedure. The anesthesia medication will ensure that you can't move or feel pain during your procedure. A foley catheter is placed in the urethra to collect urine. You may also have a nasogastric tube placed into your nose and down to your mouth to collect blood and fluid from your stomach during surgery.

The surgical staff will swab your abdomen with a solution that kills germs and put a drape around the surgical area to prevent infections. After it is confirmed that you are fully under anesthesia, your surgery will begin.

Your surgeon will determine the proper technique to clear the obstruction based on its location, size, and cause. Much of this planning will occur prior to your surgery, but some decisions may be made during surgery as well. For instance, you may have cancer invasion into the intestine that requires a more extensive resection than initially planned. Or your healthcare provider may see additional adhesions in multiple locations that need to be removed during your surgery.

Laparoscopic Bowel Obstruction Surgery Steps. Minimally invasive surgery may utilize thin scopes, which are tubes inserted through one or more tiny incisions in the abdomen. Alternatively, endoscopy , in which a tube is placed into the mouth, or sigmoidoscopy , in which a tube is placed into rectum, may be used to treat the blockage. With minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, the surgeon uses a computer monitor to view the intestines and the obstruction.

Sometimes trapped stool is broken apart and suctioned out through the tube. Or a polyp or tumor might be removed, followed by repair of the adherent intestinal tissue. A stent might be placed if the obstructed area is prone to recurrent obstruction, such as due to nerve or muscle impairment.

Any abdominal incisions will be closed with stitches or steri-tape. And your wound will be covered with sterile gauze and tape to protect it. Open Bowel Obstruction Surgery Steps.

Open surgery is required when the intestines are strangulated due to rotation or compression, or if the obstruction is caused by loss of intestinal blood flow. With an open laparotomy, the surgeon might make up to a 6- to 8-inch abdominal incision to access the bowel obstruction for decompression and repair.

Depending on the cause of the obstruction and associated intestinal damage, your surgeon may also need to perform one or more of the following:. When the surgery is completed, the surgeon will use dissolvable sutures to close internal incisions.

The external incision is sealed with stitches or surgical staples and the wound covered with sterile gauze and tape. Once the surgery is complete, the anesthesia is stopped or reversed and you will slowly begin to wake up.

As your anesthesia wears off, your breathing tube will be removed and you will be moved to the recovery room for monitoring. You will be groggy at first and slowly become more alert. Once you are awake and your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable, you will be moved to a hospital room to begin recovering. Your IV will stay in place so you can receive medications and fluids for the remainder of your hospital stay. Likewise, your urinary catheter will remain in place until you are physically able to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom.

Some people recovering from a laparoscopic procedure may be able to get out of bed several hours after surgery; it can take a few days to get back to walking and urinating on your own after open surgery. After surgery for a bowel obstruction, your stomach and intestines need time to regain normal function and heal. The amount of time that will take depends on the extent of your procedure and any co-occurring health conditions you may have, such as colon cancer.

Most patients stay in the hospital for between five and seven days following bowel obstruction surgery. It can take several weeks or months to fully return to normal activities. Your medical team with work with you to manage post-surgical pain. Opioids, which are typically used to relieve pain, can lead to post-operative constipation and are used sparingly after bowel obstruction surgery.

Your healthcare providers will confirm that you can pass gas before you will be allowed to drink small amounts of fluid. Your diet will start with clear fluids and when your body shows signs that it is ready slowly advance to soft foods. You'll be given instructions regarding wound care, medications, signs of infection, complications to look out for, and when you need to make a follow-up appointment.

Follow all of your healthcare provider's instructions and call the office with any questions or concerns. If a colostomy or ileostomy was needed, you will have a tube with a bag attached to collect stool. Your nurse will instruct you on how to care for it before you go home. Once you are home and on the road to recovery, some things to keep in mind:. Call your healthcare provider for guidance if you experience any of the following:.

It is important to work closely with your gastroenterologist to restore regular bowel function and prevent another obstruction. This applies for the time soon after your surgery and, in many cases, beyond. Treatment protocols are not one-size-fits-all and it may take several tries to find the right medication or combination of medications for you.

If a particular medication fails to bring relief or if you experience uncomfortable side effects, notify your healthcare provider, who can prescribe a different course of action.

You may be asked to keep a diary of bowel movements, including frequency, volume, and consistency based on the Bristol Stool Chart , which rates bowel movements on a scale of one hard to seven runny. If you have had a colostomy or an ileostomy, you might have another procedure to get your bowels re-attached once inflammation goes down.

Your healthcare provider will discuss this plan at your follow up appointment. Generally, bowel obstruction surgery provides sustained relief. However, there is a chance of having a recurrent bowel obstruction, especially when the initial condition that caused the bowel obstruction is chronic or incurable. Repeat surgery may be necessary. Once you recover from a bowel obstruction, it is important to maintain bowel health and regularity.

You may want to work with a dietitian to develop an eating plan that contains the right amount of fiber for your individual needs. It is also important to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily to ensure proper hydration and prevent a recurrence of constipation. Regular exercise can also help to keep stool moving through the intestinal tract. Be sure to have a healthcare provider-approved plan for treating constipation in place in case it does occur.

If you have an ostomy, know that you can lead an active and healthy lifestyle but will also have to make some adjustments. This means timing your meals so you won't have to empty it at an inconvenient time, keeping it clean, and wearing clothes that are comfortable and convenient. Bowel obstruction surgery can take some time to recover from.

Working with your healthcare providers can help ensure proper healing and restoration of normal bowel functioning. It is important to maintain bowel regularity and treat potential constipation quickly to avoid another intestinal blockage, especially if you have risk factors that could predispose you to having another bowel obstruction.

Expect to stay four to seven days after surgery. The surgeon makes a cut in your belly to see your intestines. Sometimes, the surgery can be done using a laparoscope, which means smaller cuts are used. Any damaged parts of your bowel will be repaired or removed.

This procedure is called bowel resection. If a section is removed, the healthy ends will be reconnected with stitches or staples. Sometimes, when part of the intestine is removed, the ends cannot be reconnected. If this happens, the surgeon will bring one end out through an opening in the abdominal wall. This may be done using a colostomy or ileostomy. This procedure is done to relieve a blockage in your intestine. A blockage that lasts for a long time can reduce or block blood flow to the area.

This can cause the bowel to die. People who have had many abdominal surgeries may form scar tissue. They are more likely to have bowel obstructions in the future. The doctor may suspect intestinal obstruction if your abdomen is swollen or tender or if there's a lump in your abdomen. He or she may listen for bowel sounds with a stethoscope. To confirm a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, your doctor may recommend an abdominal X-ray. However, some intestinal obstructions can't be seen using standard X-rays.

Computerized tomography CT. A CT scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images. These images are more detailed than a standard X-ray, and are more likely to show an intestinal obstruction. When an intestinal obstruction occurs in children, ultrasound is often the preferred type of imaging. In youngsters with an intussusception, an ultrasound will typically show a "bull's-eye," representing the intestine coiled within the intestine.

Air or barium enema. An air or barium enema allows for enhanced imaging of the colon. This may be done for certain suspected causes of obstruction. During the procedure, the doctor will insert air or liquid barium into the colon through the rectum. For intussusception in children, an air or barium enema can actually fix the problem most of the time, and no further treatment is needed. More Information Home enteral nutrition.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Feldman M, et al. Intestinal obstruction.

Elsevier; Accessed Dec. Merck Manual Professional Version. Kliegman RM, et al.