Adhesions are responsible for 92% of cases of early postoperative small bowel obstruction in adults and 78% of cases in pediatric cases.
Surgical procedures below the transverse mesocolon result in an increased risk for early postoperative small bowel obstruction.
The risk of postoperative small bowel obstruction is prevalent after colorectal procedures.
Mortality rate ranges from 4-15% when mechanical obstruction is confirmed at the time of surgery.
Other causes include abscess, hernia, bowel ischemia and rarely intussusception.