Admitting service influences the outcomes of patients with small bowel obstruction

Background. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common problem that often requires operation. We tested the hypotheses that patients admitted to a surgical service have improved outcomes and that these outcomes are related to early operation. Methods. Retrospective review of 281 patients with 336 episodes of SBO between 1992 and 1998 was performed, Parametric and nonparametric analysis was used as appropriate. Results. There were 222 admissions to a surgical service and 114 admissions to a medical service. Patient characteristics were similar between groups. Eighty-seven percent of patients had a previous abdominal or pelvic operation. There were 211 patients (217 admissions) who required operation. Operated patients admitted to the surgical service had a shorter preoperative (2.7 vs 6.3 days, P < .01) and overall length of stay (LOS) (17.9 vs 22.8 days, P < .0001). There was no difference in time to resumption of diet between groups. The number of previous admissions or operations did not affect the need for operative intervention. Unoperated patients admitted to a medical service had a Shorter time to resumption of diet (3.1 vs 4.3 days) and LOS (4.8 vs 7.2 days, both P < .05) than the surgical service group. Operative mortality was 3.4%. The likelihood of developing a complication was related to the occurrence of an enterotomy (n = 21, odds ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-6.7, P = .014) or the need for bowel resection (odds ratio = 1.97; 95% Cl: 1.2-3.5, P = .02). The occurrence of a complication resulted in a 46% increase in LOS (P < .0001). Patients operated on within 24 hours of admission had a decreased LOS (P < .05) and mortality, with no difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications. Conclusions. Patients with SBO who require operation benefit from a shorter time to operation and reduced LOS when admitted to a surgical service. Early operation is associated with a reduction in mortality, and avoidance of enterotomy decreases the risk of complications.