The dark red infarcted small intestine contrasts with the light pink viable bowel. The forceps extend through an internal hernia in which a loop of bowel and mesentery has been caught. This is one complication of adhesions from previous surgery. The trapped bowel has lost its blood supply. The most common causes for bowel obstruction (in developed nations) are:
  • Adhesions from previous surgery.

  • Hernias.

  • Metastatic carcinoma.