Questioning the Small-Bowel Obstruction Paradigm: Comment on “Nonoperative Management of Patients With a Diagnosis of High-grade Small Bowel Obstruction by Computed Tomography”
Abstract
Small-bowel obstruction, a common complication after abdominal surgery, can be a vexing problem for any surgeon. In the past, partial obstruction was managed nonoperatively because up to 80% resolved with conservative treatment, whereas complete obstruction was almost always operated on because reasonable hopes for spontaneous resolution usually did not exceed 5%. The article by Rocha et al, although retrospective in nature, dispels some myths and questions the basis for the long-held...