Large bowel obstruction

Large bowel obstruction, abbreviated LBO, is a pathology that keeps general surgeons busy.

Classification

It is generally divided into:

• Mechanical - something is in the way, i.e. it is blocked
• Functional - the muscles aren't moving the food down the GI tract.

Causes

A short list of causes:

• Colonic pseudo-obstruction.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Diverticular disease.
• Colorectal carcinoma.
• Other mass lesions that impinge on the large bowel.

See also

• Small bowel obstruction.