Bowel Obstructions
Advanced Robotics and Laparoscopic Surgeons serving Roseville, Carmichael, Folsom, Grass Valley, Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas
Nausea, bloating, and worsening abdominal pain can signal that your body needs surgical assistance to overcome the life-threatening consequences of bowel obstructions. Find the expertise you need at Sierra Pacific Surgical, conveniently serving Roseville, Carmichael, Folsom, Grass Valley, Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas. Their team of highly skilled surgeons specializes in minimally invasive surgery for bowel obstructions that haven’t responded to other treatments. You’ll also appreciate the group’s down-to-earth approach to answering questions and discussing your concerns. Schedule an evaluation today by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.
A bowel or intestinal obstruction is a blockage that prevents food, liquid, or waste (stool) from moving through the small intestine or colon (bowel). The blockage can also impair blood flow to the affected section, causing that portion of the intestine to die.
Health complications related to an untreated bowel obstruction include:
The surgeons at Sierra Pacific Surgical can prevent these complications with surgery that restores normal digestive function.
Common causes of bowel obstructions include:
Adhesions (scarring) are fibrous bands of tissue that may develop following surgery to the abdomen or pelvic region. The scar tissue can form inside a section of the intestine or surround it from the outside and restrict its size or cause a kink in the structure.
Hernias can cause a portion of the intestine to bulge into another area, cutting off blood supply and causing an obstruction.
Colon polyps and cancerous growths can grow large enough to cause a partial or complete obstruction. Not all polyps are cancerous, but nearly every type of colon cancer develops from a polyp.
Other causes of bowel obstructions include inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, twisting of the bowel (volvulus), and impacted stool.
Any bowel obstruction requires medical care, usually hospitalization, to stabilize your condition and diagnose the cause of obstruction.
Initial diagnostic studies and treatment may include:
Your provider may also recommend relieving pressure on the abdomen by suctioning away fluids or air backed up because of the obstruction with a nasogastric (NG) tube.
Most bowel obstructions require surgery. The Sierra Pacific Surgical team recommends minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
During this procedure, your surgeon uses a laparoscope and surgical instruments passed through several small abdominal incisions to clear the blockage and repair or remove damaged tissue.
Smaller incision sizes mean less surrounding tissue trauma, often leading to quicker healing than open or traditional surgery. Your Sierra Pacific Surgical provider continues to follow you during your hospital stay and recuperation.
Contact their office today to schedule an evaluation. Call the office or request an appointment online. Telehealth appointments are available.