International Multi-center Profile of Emergency Large-Bowel Obstruction Management and Outcomes

IMPEL is a prospective, non-randomized, observational snapshot audit conducted across international acute care hospitals managing emergency general surgery. Participating centers enroll consecutive adult patients presenting with mechanical large-bowel obstruction during a predefined 90-day inclusion period within a six-month global study window. Patients are managed according to local standard practice; no interventions are assigned by the study protocol. Data collected include baseline characteristics and comorbidity burden, clinical frailty, diagnostic imaging features, operative and non-operative management strategies (including bridge-to-surgery approaches), perioperative outcomes, and short-term follow-up outcomes. Stoma creation, intent, and reversal status are recorded, with follow-up to six months for stoma outcomes. The study is structured in accordance with STROBE guidelines for observational research. Analyses addressing comparative or causal questions will follow target trial emulation principles, including explicit definition of eligibility, time zero, treatment strategies, and estimands, without implying interventional assignment. IMPEL is intended to provide a contemporary international reference standard for the management of large-bowel obstruction, inform future interventional studies, and support quality improvement and guideline development efforts.