Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Acute Intestinal Obstruction at Tertiary Care Institute of North India

Background: Acute intestinal obstruction continues to be one of the commonest surgical emergencies. Present study was done to evaluate the Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics of patients with acute intestinal obstruction at IGMC Shimla. Material and Methodology: This cross sectional study was done among total of 50 patients admitted with features of acute intestinal obstruction in the general surgery department of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, randomly selected during the period from 15 June 2019 to 15 June 2020. Data regarding Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics was extracted and analysed using Epi Info Software v7. Results: Intestinal obstruction occurs in all age groups, the age spectrum in our clinical study was 14 years to 85 years. The study showed the peak incidence in the age group 51-60 (11) and 61-70(10) years .Mean age in our current study was 53 years and male to female ratio was 3:1. Most common symptoms in present study were Abdominal pain (100%) followed by Vomiting (80%). Most common signs in present study were Distension (72%) and abdominal tenderness (64%). Conclusion: Our study concluded that most of the cases of acute intestinal obstruction were male, aged above 50 years. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom while abdominal distension was the most common sign among patients.