Clinical Outcomes of Intestinal Obstruction in Al- Hussein Teaching Hospital Patients: A Hospital-Based Study

Background: Intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies in the world and carries a very high risk for morbidity and mortality. Little information exists about clinical outcomes in patients with intestinal obstruction in the Iraqi population. Objective: To provide an overview of the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of patients with intestinal obstruction at Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Samawah, Iraq.
Methods: A prospective observational study from January 2022 to December 2023 included a total of 287 patients who were admitted with intestinal obstruction. Demographic data, etiology of the obstruction, clinical features, diagnostic testing, treatment options, and outcome data were all collected during this study. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.6±16.2 years (62.7% male). The leading causes of intestinal obstruction were adhesions (38.3%) and hernias (24.7%), with small bowel obstructions comprising 68.3% of all cases. Conservative treatment was successful in 31.4% of the patients; however, a higher percentage (68.6%) required surgical treatment. Overall mortality rate following surgery was 6.6% and 23.8% of patients developed complications, including the most common postoperative complication of wound infection (9.1%). Mean length of stay in the hospital was 8.4±4.6 days. Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction in our study was most prevalent in middle- aged males, with the leading cause of intestinal obstruction in our patients being adhesions. Surgical treatment frequently required, with satisfactory postoperative results. Early detection and timely treatment greatly improve the chance of decreasing morbidity and mortality.