ackground and objectives: Bowel obstruction remains one of the most common intraabdominal problems faced by general surgeons in their practice, whether caused by hernia, neoplasm, adhesions or related to biochemical disturbances. Intestinal obstruction of either the small or large bowel continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. To identify and analyse the clinical presentation, management and outcome of patients with acute mechanical, obstruction along with the etiology of obstruction , the incidence and causes of bowel ischaemia, necrosis and perforation. The objectives areto study the: *various modes of presentation, various causes, importance of early recognition, diagnosis and management. *Influence of various factors like age, sex, diet and socio-economic status in the pathogenesis of acute intestinal obstruction. *Morbidity and mortality rates in acute intestinal obstruction.