title: Changing pattern of intestinal obstruction in northern Jordan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructed abdominal wall hernias have been reported to be the leading cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction (MIO) among adults in developing countries. In the developed countries, postoperative adhesions are the commonest cause. With the worldwide improvements in health services and education, especially in developing countries, we aimed to determine the effects of these improvements on the patterns and outcomes of management of MIO in Jordan
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all patients who were treated for MIO between the years 2005 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Causes of MIO, presenting symptoms, the main imaging study performed, and the results of management are described. The pattern was compared with that in a previous 1993 report from Jordan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 88 patients were treated for MIO. Postoperative adhesions in 52.5%, gastrointestinal tumors in 21.0%, and obstructed abdominal wall hernias in 9.5% were the three major causes of MIO. Three patients developed surgical-site infections (3.3%), and one developed a minor anastomotic leak that was treated accordingly (1.1%). There were no mortalities. In 1993, obstructed hernias accounted for 30% of the MIOs followed by postoperative adhesions and tumors (27 and 14%, respectively). There was a 7% mortality rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data confirmed that improved health education programs and services changed the pattern of causes improved the outcomes of management of MIO in Jordan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, King Abdulla Teaching Hospital and The Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid, 22100, Jordan.
authors.forename: Abdulkareem H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Omari
authors.forename: Loiy L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Alkhatib
authors.forename: Muhammad R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khammash
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007597:Jordan; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult