Publication:

An unusual cause of sub-acute intestinal obstruction

SAIO implies incomplete obstruction. It is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in the surgical practice. The latter is true in patients presenting as sub-acute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) with atypical features that cause delay in diagnosis. Diagnosis is difficult, and in about 50% of cases it is made intra-operatively. Delayed diagnosis, co-morbidities and advanced age are the causes of the high related mortality rate (7.5-15%).