An intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage that results in the failure of the intestinal contents to pass through the bowel. A volvulus is a twisting of the bowel on itself. It is one cause of intestinal obstruction.
Paralytic ileus is a one of the major causes of obstruction in infants and children.
The incidence of paralytic ileus is high in comparison to mechanical obstruction but paralytic ileus is not as significant as mechanical obstruction. Mechanical obstruction occurs when movement of material through the intestines is physically blocked. If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, the tissue may die, causing infection and gangrene. Risk factors are intestinal malignancy , Crohn's disease , hernia , and previous abdominal surgery. The incidence is 2 out of 2,000 people.