What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in an adult patient with a history of prior open abdominal surgery?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Postoperative peritoneal adhesions

  1. Step 1: Peritoneal adhesions account for approximately 60-75% of all cases of small bowel obstruction in adults with prior abdominal or pelvic surgery.
  2. Step 2: Fibrous bands form between bowel loops, omentum, and abdominal wall during post-surgical healing.
  3. Step 3: Hernias are the second most common cause overall, but adhesions dominate in patients with prior surgical history.
Answer
Postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
Why not the others: 'Strangulated abdominal wall hernia' is the leading cause of small bowel obstruction in patients without prior surgical incisions; 'Intraluminal gallstone ileus' is an uncommon cause resulting from a cholecystoenteric fistula; 'Crohn's disease stricture' occurs in patients with chronic transmural inflammation.

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