Stricture

Overview

Strictures are narrowings of some parts of intestines that cause problems by slowing or blocking the movement of food through that area. They are caused by recurrent inflammation and can lead to hospitalization due to partial obstruction. Strictures can also cause intestinal obstruction, which can result in bowel perforation. This perforation can lead to severe infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis), abscesses (infection and pus collections), and fistulae (tubular passageways originating from the bowel wall and connecting to other organs or the skin). Besides that, small bowel strictures can result in bacterial overgrowth, which is another intestinal complication of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Strictures are most commonly caused by inflammatory bowel diseases such as tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. They can also develop as a result of tumours, adhesions, or radiation therapy. The common symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and inability to pass stools or flauts. CT scan and abdominal x-ray are used to diagnose Strictures.

Treatment for Strictures:  Laparoscopic and open surgeries are the two ways to perform the procedure. In open surgery a large surgical cut is made across the abdomen, either to the left or to the middle while in the laparoscopic surgery two-three small incisions are made in the abdomen and laparoscope and other surgical instruments are inserted through the made incisions and then the compromised section of the intestine is removed, and the healthy ends are stapled or stitched together.