Bowel obstruction

• History / PE:
  Small bowel
  Nausea, vomiting
  Colicky or paroxysmal abdominal pain (complete)
  
  Large bowel
• Diagnosis:
  Failure to pass stool of flatus (obstipation) indicates a complete obstruction
  Metabolic acidosis (lactic acid) suggests bowl loop ischemia
  Mild leukocytosis
• Treatment:
  NG decompression, IVF, analgesics (partial obstruction)
  Laparotomy, antibiotics (complete obstruction)
• Complications:
  Bowel strangulation/necrosis