Surgery & perioperative · Explanation & counselling

Bowel blockage plan

Medium

10 min station · 2 min reading · Recommended for Curtin Year 5 students

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Q R C H

2 min reading · 10 min station · reminders at 2 min

Instructions

You are an intern in the emergency department. Maureen Ellison, 66, has had a day of vomiting, colicky abdominal pain and bloating, with no bowel motion or wind. Her CT shows an adhesive small bowel obstruction without signs of strangulation. The surgical team plans conservative management.

  1. Explain the diagnosis and the management plan to Mrs Ellison

  • You do not need to take a history or examine the patient

CT abdomen

Dilated small bowel with a transition point consistent with adhesions. No free fluid, free gas or ischaemia.

Bloods

Lactate 1.2; WCC 10.8; creatinine 98; potassium 3.4.

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