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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're at an increased risk of developing intestinal obstruction if you've had abdominal surgery of any kind, surgery to remove part of your intestine (bowel resection) or other pelvic surgery, previous surgery for obstruction, or surgery to remove your appendix (appendectomy). These surgeries can cause adhesions, which are one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction.
Conditions that increase your risk of intestinal obstruction include:
- Abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Crohn's disease — an inflammatory condition that can cause the intestine's walls to thicken, narrowing its passageway
- Cancer within your abdomen, especially if you've had surgery to remove an abdominal tumor or radiation therapy
- A history of constipation
- Malrotation, a condition present at birth (congenital) in which your intestine doesn't develop correctly
