BOWEL OBSTRUCTION IN AGED PATIENT - A REVIEW OF 300 CASES

Three hundred cases of bowel obstruction in patients over sixty-five years of age are reviewed. The obstructions were almost evenly divided among conditions arising in the large bowel, the small bowel, and those caused by hernias. The mortality for obstructions arising in the large and small bowel was slightly over 30 per cent whereas the mortality for obstructions from hernia was about 20 per cent. Many complications appeared to be primarily cardiovascular and pulmonary in origin, but sepsis and genitourinary complications were also frequent. Early diagnosis and treatment with special care to prevent complications are necessary if the mortality and morbidity statistics are to be improved. © 1969.