The presence of fever in patients with intestinal obstruction suggests the possibility of intestinal necrosis or secondary infection and is a sign of exacerbation of the condition. This may occur even if the obstruction itself is not severe.
With the development of intestinal obstruction, the increasing pressure in the intestinal lumen will affect the intestinal blood transportation. When the local intestinal blood flow is seriously impeded or even interrupted, the intestinal wall tissue will undergo ischemic necrosis, and a large amount of necrotic material will enter the bloodstream, which can cause fever. In addition, partial mesenteric artery embolization may also lead to partial necrosis of the intestinal tube, resulting in symptoms of obstruction and fever.
The localized congestion and edema of the intestinal wall in intestinal obstruction is very easy to be combined with infection, especially when necrosis of the intestinal tube is already present. The combination of infection with intestinal obstruction can also be characterized by elevated body temperature.
Whether it is intestinal necrosis or secondary infection is a sign of worsening of the condition of intestinal obstruction, and should be promptly treated accordingly, such as gastrointestinal decompression, antibiotic therapy, the use of growth inhibitors and so on. If there is no contraindication to surgery, surgery should be performed as soon as possible to avoid further aggravation of the infection and induce infectious toxic shock.