Evaluation of Gastrografin Therapeutic Role in the Management of Small Bowel Obstruction

Background: small bowel obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies and main causes of hospital admissions. diatrizoate meglumine gastrografin, a hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast agent, has been used to triage patients with small bowel obstruction for an operative or a non-operative management. it can also have a therapeutic effect by increasing the pressure gradient across obstructive sites that may result in resolving the obstruction. objectives: the aim of this study was to test the gastrografin effect in the resolution of small bowel obstruction. patients and methods: in this cross sectional–descriptive study, gastrografin was given to patients diagnosed with small bowel obstruction in clinical and radiological grounds . the contrast passage was assessed by serial x-rays. if the contrast remained in the small bowel, a decision was made as to whether proceed to surgical intervention, based on clinical condition. the patients were divided into two groups: a, who finally required surgery, and b, who were resolved by gastrografin administration. results: forty six patients were entered into the study. thirty seven of the patients (80%) received a non-operative course in whom the contrast was observed in the large bowel. they had a mean hospital stay of 4.6 days. nine patients (20%) required operative intervention. these patients had a mean hospital stay of 8 days. conclusions: this study has demonstrated that gastrografin was highly effective in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction resulting in a decreased need for surgery and hospital stay.