Abstract

Large bowel obstruction defined as the normal propulsion and passage of colon contents does not occur.Intestinal obstruction involves the colon 20 to 40 percent of all intestinal obstruction . Colonic obstruction is associated with potentially serious complications such as perforation, the timing and selection of appropriate operative procedures are important. Symptoms can develop slowly and progressively or fulminantly. Among adults, elderly people are usually affected. The sigmoid colon is the usual site: this portion of the intestine is thick walled, not particularly distensible, and comparatively narrow. To study the causes, sex predominance , age group , morbidity and mortality of    patients with large intestinal obstruction in Al- Hilla general Hospital . This is a prospective study of patients with intestinal obstruction admitted to Al – Hilla general Hospital , department of surgery . Between October 2013 and October 2020,  sixty eight patients were included in this study. Data recorded on database, history  of concomitant diseases, causes of obstruction, hospitalization, and post operative complications during hospitalization were noted.The study include 68 patients, male 47 (69%)  female 21 (31%) patients, M:F ratio was 2 :1. Seventy five percent of  the patients were in the age of (50-70) years old. Seventy eight percent of patients had history of concomitant diseases (Ischemic Heart Disease , Hypertension , Diabetes mellitus , and atrial Fibrillation). Surgical operation was undertaken for 47 (69%) patients. Tumour was  commonest cause of large bowel obstruction. Complication occurred in 36% of patients following operative intervention . wound infection was the commonest cause of complications. The post-operative mortality rate was 19%. Large bowel obstruction more in old age group and has high rate of complication and mortality , And according to the causes of large bowel obstruction early detection of tumor is needed to improve the outcome .