Abstract
Nearly one-quarter of bowel obstructions occur in the large bowel. As with all bowel
obstructions, large bowel obstructions have three defining characteristics: partial
or complete, intrinsic or extrinsic, benign or malignant. The work-up for a large
bowel obstruction should focus on the etiology of the obstruction as well as severity.
Management strategy is contingent on the previous characteristics and can include
endoscopy, diversion, or resection. This chapter will discuss common and rare etiologies
of large bowel obstructions as well as management strategies for clinical guidance.
Keywords
large bowel obstruction - adhesion - hernia - endometriosis - retroperitoneal fibrosis
- stricture
