Objective To investigate the causes of acute intestinal obstruction aquired operation and to summer our diagnostic and therapeutic experience.Method Retrospective study was undertaken.Results Operations were performed on total 69 patients with acute intenstinal obstruction without perioperative death.Most common causes were malignant tumors 23 (33%), adhension 17(25%).The diagnosis mainly depend on typical history, physical examination and plain abdominal radiographs(in 90% patients) while sonography and CT were helpful in 30% patients. Laparotomy was performed on 56 cases after failure of conservative therapy including traditional medicine. Main operations included enterolysis in 18 cases, enterectomy in 14, colonstomy in 9, colonectomy in 13, enterolithotomy in 6.Conclusion Among numerous causes of acute intenstinal obstruction, malignant tumors and adhensions appear to be the most common initial diseases. Typical data from history, physical examination and plain abdominal radiographs are keys to diagnosis and treatment of acute intenstinal obstruction. CT and Sonography are valuable diagnostic procedures in some patients. Active laparotomy and appropriate operation should be considered if conservative therapy has not succeed.