Enema method for intestinal obstruction

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Enemas are an effective treatment measure in the management of intestinal obstruction. An enema involves a nurse using an enema bag to introduce about 500 milliliters of soapy water through a rounded-tip catheter into the rectum via the anus. Typically, the catheter is inserted about 30 centimeters deep. The purpose of injecting soapy water into the rectum is to stimulate intestinal peristalsis, leading to the expulsion of intestinal contents. During this process, it is important to avoid damage to the intestinal mucosa and consider the patient's tolerance. Generally, it is preferable to retain the soapy water for an extended period for better results.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can you fart with intestinal obstruction?

When the contents of the intestines cannot normally pass through the intestinal tract and be expelled from the body, it is called intestinal obstruction. The main clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, and the cessation of bowel movements and gas passage through the anus. Clinically, some cases of partial intestinal obstruction can still pass gas, and some cases of high intestinal obstruction may also allow gas accumulation below the blockage to be expelled through the anus. However, the ability to pass gas does not mean that the patient's condition has improved; continuous treatment and observation are still necessary.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is intestinal obstruction dangerous?

Whether intestinal obstruction is dangerous depends on the actual individualized level. If the obstruction has progressed to symptoms of peritonitis, and if intestinal necrosis cannot be ruled out, not performing timely exploratory laparotomy surgery could potentially endanger the patient's life. However, if it is just a mild incomplete obstruction, with signs of passing gas and stools, and the patient’s abdominal symptoms are not pronounced, and related examinations are not concerning, then the risk to the patient might be relatively smaller. Therefore, in such cases, it is not possible to generalize, and decisions need to be made based on the individual situation.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Early symptoms of intestinal obstruction

What are the early symptoms of intestinal obstruction? For intestinal obstruction, the symptoms that appear in the early stages vary depending on the location of the obstruction. If it is a high-level obstruction, the main early symptoms are nausea and vomiting. If it is a low-level obstruction, abdominal distension is more prominent early on, and nausea and vomiting are less common. Additionally, the cause of the obstruction also leads to different symptoms. For instance, if the obstruction is simply due to adhesions in the abdominal cavity, the early symptoms may include poor appetite or nausea and vomiting. If it is caused by tumors in the digestive tract, early symptoms might include abdominal bloating, difficulty defecating, bloody stools, or changes in the characteristics of the stool, among others.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Does intestinal obstruction cause fever?

It is possible, as the primary pathophysiological change in intestinal obstruction is the translocation of intestinal flora causing infection, which can lead to symptoms such as fever. Therefore, fever is also a factor in assessing the condition. If a patient has persistent high fever, they may even develop septic shock, which could necessitate surgical intervention such as exploratory laparotomy. Thus, fever is a common factor in intestinal obstruction, but it is not a mandatory one.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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What can you eat with intestinal obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction, as the name implies, is when the contents within the intestines are blocked. Generally, patients are not allowed to eat, but this depends on the progress of the condition and whether there is a need for food or water intake. In some cases of incomplete obstruction, it is possible to consume a small amount of liquid or residue-free diet. However, for cases of obstruction with clear symptoms and severe conditions, patients are not permitted to eat. They might even require gastrointestinal decompression, which involves the insertion of a gastric tube for further treatment.