Does intestinal obstruction cause fever?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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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General Surgery
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How to check for intestinal obstruction?

Generally, after the occurrence of intestinal obstruction, patients typically exhibit classic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and cessation of passing gas or stool. If this happens, the most routine hospital examination includes abdominal ultrasonography and plain abdominal radiographs. When necessary, during the treatment process, a more comprehensive abdominal enhanced CT may be needed, or even gastroscopy and colonoscopy, because identifying the cause of the intestinal obstruction is crucial for treatment. Addressing the cause can reduce the frequency of future intestinal obstructions. For adhesive obstructions caused by abdominal surgery, lifestyle and dietary habits are extremely important. Since adhesive obstructions cannot be completely resolved through surgery, adjustments in diet or lifestyle and behavior are essential to minimize recurrence.

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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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Treatment of Intestinal Obstruction

The treatment of intestinal obstruction is divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. If the obstruction is not too severe, or it is a partial intestinal obstruction, conservative treatment can generally be used. Conservative treatment includes fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, oral laxatives, enemas, use of antibiotics, correction of electrolyte disturbances, fluid replenishment, and other treatments, which can gradually relieve the condition. If the intestinal obstruction does not improve after repeated treatments and symptoms continue to worsen, with the possibility of intestinal necrosis or perforation, emergency surgical treatment is recommended.

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Intestinal obstruction complications

The complications of intestinal obstruction include some common clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, and cessation of passing gas or stool from the anus. The initial symptom in complications is electrolyte imbalance, which is caused by the inability to eat and frequent vomiting. Another issue is the displacement of intestinal flora due to the obstruction, which can lead to infections. This is why it’s essential for patients with intestinal obstruction to actively undergo antibiotic treatment. The most severe complication is that a serious intestinal obstruction can lead to necrosis of the intestine. Based on this necrosis, a patient can develop septic shock or toxic shock, which are life-threatening conditions.

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How is intestinal obstruction diagnosed?

The main clinical manifestations of intestinal obstruction include abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, and cessation of gas and bowel movements from the anus. During the physical examination, tenderness in the abdomen can be observed, as well as hyperactive bowel sounds. Laboratory tests may reveal increased red and white blood cell counts, and electrolyte imbalances. Supplementary examinations, such as abdominal X-ray films, can show dilation of the intestinal tube, air and fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity, and the presence of fluid-air levels. Abdominal ultrasound can also reveal air and fluid accumulation in the intestinal tube. Through the above examinations, intestinal obstruction can be diagnosed.