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.