Determinar las causas de obstrucción intestinal que se resuelven con laparotomía exploratoria en pacientes del Hospital General IESS Ceibos periodo mayo 2022 a mayo 2024.

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies in medical practice, and timely management of this condition can make the difference between recovery and serious deterioration of a patient's health. Often, the initial diagnosis is limited by ambiguous symptoms and the lack of conclusive findings on imaging studies, necessitating the use of exploratory laparotomy as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. This study aims to highlight the most common causes of intestinal obstruction requiring exploratory laparotomy in adults, focusing on the clinical and surgical context in which they arise. The study not only seeks to determine the etiologies based on their recurrence but also to understand individual patient factors such as age, comorbidities, prior surgical history, and duration of symptoms that influence the course of the clinical picture. Among the most frequently identified causes are postoperative adhesions, strangulated hernias, digestive tract tumors, and, to a lesser extent, intestinal volvulus and intussusception. Each of these conditions requires a distinct surgical approach and a particularly specific prognosis, making a complete and comprehensive clinical examination essential, based on the analysis of warning signs, surgical experience, and in-depth knowledge of intestinal pathophysiology. Far beyond the correct technical procedure, this analysis emphasizes the human dimension that permeates every surgical procedure. The patient is not only a carrier of a pathology, but a person experiencing a critical experience fraught with uncertainty, fear, and pain. Therefore, the need to cultivate empathetic communication and patient participation in decision-making is underscored, as is the importance of supporting the patient before, during, and after the surgical process, understanding that there is a link between therapeutic intervention and one of the essential pillars of successful recovery. Ultimately, this research aims to enrich the approach to intestinal obstruction from a rigorous clinical perspective, without losing sight of the value of medical sensitivity and respect for the patient's individuality. The goal is to strengthen surgical decision-making based on evidence, ethics, and humanity.