[Acute occlusions of the small intestine caused by adhesions. Indications and results].

Postoperative adhesions are the first cause of small bowel occlusion in developed countries. Nevertheless no progress was done in prevention and treatment of this disease. The aim of this trial is to report results of 276 small bowel occlusions caused by adhesion recently operated and consecutive between first january 1993 and 31 december 1996. These patients had 400 previous surgical procedures, within 67.4% infra mesocolic or pelvic. 15.1% of previous surgical procedures took place less than one year before and 36% less than 5 years. Thirty five per cent of patients were operated during 24 hours following admission 23.2% of patients had a digestive resection, caused by necrosis or iatrogenic dissection. Operative mortality was 4.3% without resection and 16.6% with resection. Progress are warranted to reduce the rate of redux of occlusion and mortality and morbidity in this benign disease: more peri operative attention and place of laparoscopy should be considered.