Early diagnosis of strangulation obstruction of the small intestine.

Early recognition of strangulation obstruction of the small intestine is important in order that surgical relief may be undertaken before the bowel has been irreversibly damaged or the condition of the patient has so deteriorated as to make immediate operation unreasonably hazardous. In the presence of other symptoms, an operative scar, particularly on the lower abdomen, should alert the examining physician to the possibility of strangulation obstruction. (In a series of 100 cases, the greatest single cause of strangulation was adhesive bands subsequent to abdominal operation.)Other hallmarks of aid in diagnosis and in distinguishing early from advanced strangulation are discussed.X-ray evidence varies in accord with the rapidity of development and the stage of strangulation.Abdominal puncture may be utilized as a means of diagnosis with little risk.