Methods
The MEDLINE® and PubMed databases (1992–2014) were
searched using the Boolean operators [small bowel
obstruction] AND [preg* OR foet*]. Inclusion criteria
included any paper type dealing with small bowel obstruction
in pregnancy. Initially retrieved articles were screened
for relevance based on title, keywords and abstract review.
Selected articles were then obtained in full text and
reviewed by three independent reviewers (PW, MB, JW).
Reference lists of included articles were searched recursively
for further relevant papers and the contents of pertinent
journals were hand searched. Google Scholar was
also interrogated for any additional papers. A full diagram
of the search strategy is provided in Figure 1.