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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIf left untreated, intestinal obstruction can cause serious, life-threatening complications, including:
- Death of the affected intestine. Intestinal obstruction can cut off the blood supply to the affected portion of your intestine. If left untreated, lack of blood causes the intestinal wall to die. Tissue death can result in a tear (perforation) in the intestinal wall, which can lead to infection.
- Infection in the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is the medical term for infection in the abdominal cavity. It's a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical and surgical attention.
References
- Turnage RH, et al. Intestinal obstruction. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Foxx-Orenstein AE. Ileus and pseudo-obstruction. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Torrey SP, et al. Disorders of the small intestine. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&uniq=216142190-4. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Peterson MA. Disorders of the large intestine. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&uniq=216142190-4. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Intestinal pseudo-obstruction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinalpo/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Abdominal adhesions. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinaladhesions/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
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