Small Bowel Obstruction
Small bowel obstruction may present with varying degrees of distension depending on the level of obstruction.
Patients with obstruction of the more proximal small intestine may exhibit minimal to moderate distension whereas those with lower obstruction may have marked distension.
Operative picture of patient with gross distension of abdomen secondary to adhesions.
Plain abdominal radiographs (left-supine and right erect) demonstrating small bowel obstruction.
Femoral hernial sac being dissected out.
Appearances of tense distended small intestine extruding through surgical excision made at an emergency laparotomy for small bowel obstruction.
Operative (laparotomy) picture involving the above patient demonstrating both dilated and 'collapsed' small bowel. Note the black 'band' at the site where the obstruction occurred.
