2017 Volume 37 Issue 4 Pages 565-570
【Aim】The usefulness of water-soluble contrast agents (WSCA) for the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel obstruction (SBO) was investigated. 【Methods】Between January 2008 and December 2015, 878 consecutive patients with SBO received WSCA and were included in the study. Abdominal X-rays were taken 5 hours after the administration of 100mL of WSCA and were classified into four types: type Ⅰ/Ⅱ, corresponding to the absence of contrast agent in the colon with/without the detection of a complete obstruction point; and type ⅢA/ⅢB, an incomplete obstruction group corresponding to the presence of contrast agent in the colon with/without a dilated small intestine. Surgery was recommended for type Ⅰ/Ⅱ SBO, while conservative therapy was recommended for type ⅢA/ⅢB SBO. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. 【Results】Types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, ⅢA, and ⅢB were identified in 37, 98, 399, and 344 patients, respectively. The duration from hospital admission until surgery was 2.1 days. The time until oral intake and the length of the hospital stay were 2.6 and 10.6 days, respectively, for type ⅢA and 2.1 and 8.5 days, respectively, for type ⅢB. 【Conclusions】WSCA aids the management of SBO. WSCA reduces the duration until operation and the time until the resolution of the obstruction, as well as the length of the hospital stay.
