Small-bowel obstruction secondary to malignant disease: an 11-year audit.

Abstract

SBO secondary to malignant disease usually indicates a grim prognosis. Operative treatment has better outcome than nonoperative management in terms of symptom free interval and reobstruction rates. However, it is marked by high postoperative morbidity. We recommend that, after short trial of nasogastric decompression, patients with obstruction secondary to malignant disease be operated on if clinical factors indicate they they will survive the operation.