Oral gastrografin is a hyperosmolar, water-soluble contrast media that can be used in detecting the level of intestinal obstruction, but can also be used in the treatments of postoperative, small bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions, and
obstruction
due to bezoars, meconeum, and parasites.
173 cases of adhesive, partial small bowel obstruction after operation in 142 patients were studied since Jan. 1991 till Dec. 1995 retrospectively, and gastrografin used group was 53 cases(30.5%), and control group was 120 cases(69.5%), and
results
are
as follows.
1) 12 cases(23%) in the trial group(Gastrografin used group), required an operation compared with 34 cases(28.3%) in the control group.
2) Average duration between admission and operation was 2.5 days in the trial group, and 3 days in the control group.
3) Bowel resection due to strangulated obstruction occured in 3 cases(5.7%) in the trial group, and 12 cases(10%) in the control group.
4) Average Levin tube removal time after first gas out was 1.6 days in the trial group and 3.1 days in the control group.
5) Average total hospital stay in the nonoperated group was 4.3 days in the trial group, and 6.5 days inn the control group; and that in the operative group was 11 days in the trial group, and 13.5 days in the control group.
6) Recurrent obstructions after gastrografin usage were 6 cases(11%), compaired with 25 cases(21%) in the trial group.
@ES Conclusions:
@EN Orally used Gastrografin is safe and helpful not only in the operation decision making, but also it resolves postoperative partial small bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions. It shortens total hospital stay, and reduces the needs for
operation.
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