Final answer:
The most likely cause of a small bowel obstruction in a patient with a history of ovarian cancer is either post-surgical adhesions or peritoneal carcinomatosis. These conditions can lead to bowel obstruction due to scar tissue development or the spread of cancer cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the most likely cause of a small bowel obstruction (SBO) in a patient with a past medical history of ovarian carcinoma and a mention of abdominal surgery. In such a patient, the likely cause of SBO could stem from adhesions that develop as a post-surgical complication or due to peritoneal carcinomatosis associated with the spread of ovarian cancer. Post-surgical adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can connect abdominal tissues and organs, potentially leading to obstruction. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a condition where cancer cells spread to the peritoneal surfaces within the abdomen, which can also lead to obstructive complications.