What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction?

What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction?

• A. Incarcerated hernias
• B. Surgical adhesions
• C. Crohn's disease
• D. Gallstones

Answer: (B)

Adhesions formed after abdominal surgery are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction. These fibrous bands develop during healing and tether loops of intestine, causing kinking or external compression that blocks the lumen. They are the most common reason SBO occurs, accounting for the majority of cases, because any prior abdominal operation increases the risk of adhesion formation. Clinically, patients typically have crampy pain, vomiting, distension, and lack of bowel movements or flatus, and imaging often shows a transition point with dilated bowel proximal to the obstruction. Incarcerated hernias can cause obstruction but are less common overall. Crohn's disease can produce obstruction from inflammatory strictures but is less frequent as a cause in the general population. Gallstone-related obstruction (gallstone ileus) is relatively rare and tied to specific gallbladder disease contexts.

Adhesions formed after abdominal surgery are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction. These fibrous bands develop during healing and tether loops of intestine, causing kinking or external compression that blocks the lumen. They are the most common reason SBO occurs, accounting for the majority of cases, because any prior abdominal operation increases the risk of adhesion formation. Clinically, patients typically have crampy pain, vomiting, distension, and lack of bowel movements or flatus, and imaging often shows a transition point with dilated bowel proximal to the obstruction.

Incarcerated hernias can cause obstruction but are less common overall. Crohn's disease can produce obstruction from inflammatory strictures but is less frequent as a cause in the general population. Gallstone-related obstruction (gallstone ileus) is relatively rare and tied to specific gallbladder disease contexts.