Contemporary Strategies in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction represents one of the most challenging and prevalent surgical emergencies in pediatric surgery, accounting for a significant proportion of acute abdominal conditions requiring prompt intervention in children. The multifaceted etiology of intestinal obstruction in pediatric patients spans a remarkable spectrum of pathologies that vary distinctly by age group—from congenital anomalies predominant in neonates such as intestinal atresia, malrotation with volvulus, and Hirschsprung's disease to acquired conditions in older children including postoperative adhesions, intussusception, incarcerated hernias, and inflammatory processes. The clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic management of these conditions necessitate specialized knowledge and techniques that address the unique anatomical, physiological, and developmental considerations of pediatric patients.