Major causes of bowel obstruction
The most common cause of small bowel obstruction is adhesions secondary to prior surgery. Small bowel obstruction secondary to hernia is the second most common cause. Some other causes of small bowel obstruction include primary and secondary small bowel tumors, Crohn’s disease, volvulus, bowel malrotation, annular pancreas, endometriosis, foreign body, gallstone, bezoar, intussusception, and intramural hematoma.
Major causes of large bowel obstruction include adhesions, hernia, primary and secondary colorectal tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, sigmoid or cecal volvulus, diverticulitis, intussusception, large bowel stricture, and fecal impaction.