Abstract: Objective： To explore the value of serum phospholipase A2(PLA2) in acute strangulated bowel obstruction. Methods： The serum PLA2 level was determined in different types of bowel obstruction, including strangulated obstruction, simple obstruction,torpid obstruction, and in controls by ELISA. Strangulated obstruction was subdivided into two groups: the ischemia group and the necrosis group. Their linear relations were statistical analyzed. Results： The mean serum concentration of PLA2 in the bowel obstruction group was significantly elevated compared with the healthy controls［(1.22±0.66) mg/L vs (0.17 ±0.02) mg/L］ (t=9.05,P＜0.001), the strangulated obstruction group was significantly higher than those of the simple obstruction group［(1.72±0.36) mg/L vs (0.57±0.24)mg/L (t=17.89,P＜0.001),　and the ischemia group was significantly higher than of the necrosis group［(1.96±0.14 )mg/L vs (1.54±0.37)mg/L (t=5.16，P＜0.001).　Conclusions： The serum PLA2 level correlates closely with the severity of obstruction. It has great value for early diagnosis of strangulated bowel obstruction and offers solid evidence for early treatment.

Key words: Phospholipase A2, Intestinal obstruction