Adhesions, hernias, and large bowel cancer are the most common causes of obstruction, as well as of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation.

There is clear evidence available which, if applied in a constructive manner could reduce morbidity and mortality, for example, in pulmonary and large bowel cancer.

No excess of any alimentary tract cancer was found and the population showed a significant deficit of large bowel cancer mortality (SMR 54).