What is the difference between a large bowel obstruction and a small bowel obstruction?

Different casues: Unfortunately large bowel obstruction, particularly in adults, is almost always due to malignancy. Small bowel obstruction on the other hand more commonly occurs from benign conditions, especially in patients who have had prior abdominal surgery. Both conditions would require an imaging test and likely surgery to repair.

Different causes: Small bowel obstruction is rarely due to a lesion or intussuception. It is mostly due to adhesions from previous surgery. Large bowel does not obstruct from adhesions but usually an intraluminal lesion such as carcinoma of colon.