Adhesive small bowel obstruction: a clinical review

Each year, acute bowel obstruction accounts for 22 000 hospital admissions in England and Wales. Surgery is sometimes required to treat this condition, which increases the risk of death. To prevent complications, timely intervention is essential. This review will discuss the different types of bowel obstruction, with a focus on adhesive small bowel obstruction, the investigations that lead to a diagnosis and the treatment and management of this condition.