[Use of Gastrografin(®) in the management of adhesion intestinal obstruction].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Adhesions are the most important cause of intestinal obstruction. Approximately 25% of surgical admissions for acute abdominal conditions are due to intestinal obstruction. Better diagnostic and treatment methods of intestinal obstruction could potentially reduce mortality rate to 5-10%. Gastrografin(®) could contribute to this achieve this.

AIM:

To present a protocol to treat adhesion intestinal obstruction with Gastrografin(®) that is safe, and allows shorter hospital stays and shorter time between admission and surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

All patients with adhesion intestinal obstruction without symptoms of strangulation were treated with Gastrografin(®), intravenous fluids and nasogastric tube. Those in whom contrast reach the colon in 8, 12 or 24hours were considered to have partial obstruction, and were fed orally. If Gastrografin(®) failed in the following 24hours, a laparotomy was performed.

RESULTS:

Out of a total of 211 episodes (164 patients), 170 episodes received contrast and in 142 cases Gastrografin(®) reached the colon (104 episodes at 8h, 11 at 12h, and 27 at 24h). A laparotomy was required in 28 patients because of failed treatment, and in another 5 for other causes.

CONCLUSIONS:

A management protocol for adhesion intestinal obstruction with Gastrografin(®) is safe, reduces morbidity and mortality, and leads to a shorter hospital stay.

• Authors: Laura Mora López, Xavier Serra-Aracil, Heura Llaquet Bayo, Salvador Navarro Soto
• Journal: Cirugia espanola (Cir Esp) 2013 Jun-Jul Vol. 91 Issue 6 Pg. 384-8 ISSN: 1578-147X [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: El uso de Gastrografin(®) en el manejo del cuadro de oclusión intestinal adherencial.
• PMID: 23477447 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Diatrizoate Meglumine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Algorithms
• Contrast Media
• Diatrizoate Meglumine
• Female
• Humans
• Intestinal Diseases (complications, diagnostic imaging)
• Intestinal Obstruction (diagnostic imaging, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Radiography
• Tissue Adhesions (complications, diagnostic imaging)
• Young Adult