The cardinal signs of intestinal obstruction are abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting and inability to pass motion or flatus. When a patient comes with these symptoms, it is usually a surgical emergency. The main causes to consider would be either a physical block in the intestine, or a loss of peristaltic movement of the intestine.

This 25-year-old man came from a hospital in the neighbouring state with intestinal obstruction. They had already performed a colonosopic examination and an obstruction was found in the colon. For some reason, an operation was not performed.

He came to my hospital and I decided that an urgent laparotomy was needed. The abdomen was extremely bloated already. This was what was found:

Whatever the age of the patient, obstruction is obstruction. The point is, obstruction due to a mechanical cause needs a laparotomy to relieve it. No matter what the age of the patient.

Uahh.. let me start again by acknowledging these “awards” from fellow bloggers:

The Power of Schmooze award from Bengbeng and Eastcoastlife. Thank you, thank you… err.. is that really a “compliment”. Hmmm.. Nevermind, give it the benefit of the doubt.

Here’s another, a more sarcastic one, from Jonzz. Well.. I deserved it, for procastinating. Hopefully, he’ll bestow a “cheetah” award on me the next time around :-).

It was nice meeting you in person in Penang. Hey, I just realized that, actually… I met ALL of the bloggers here, Bengbeng, Eastcoastlife AND Jonzz in Penang. Thanks for dropping by here, you’all.

Restoring my blog from the back-up has been giving me a hard time. And being busy for the past few days hasn’t helped. I suppose I can call it “trying times”.

1. Trying out new themes and layout.
2. Trying my patience. Hehe.

I’m going to take a break for a while… will be back soon. I know you miss me, but “absence makes the heart grow fonder”.

I hope it’s not “out of sight, out of mind”, though.

Peace.