2025 Volume 52 Issue 2 Pages 377-383
Approximately 10,000 upper gastrointestinal contrast examinations are performed per year at our health management center. To prevent serious complications, measures must be taken to optimize barium excretion after the procedure.; In2022, two cases of gastrointestinal perforation requiring emergency surgery occurred at our hospital. These incidents prompted the introduction of new measures and changes to existing protocols. A questionnaire survey was administered patients undergoing checkups following upper gastrointestinal contrast examination to assess the effectiveness of the new protocols. The results showed that taking a laxative with 500 mL of water immediately after barium contrast examination accelerated barium excretion time. Viscosity measurements found that the viscosity of barium in the gastrointestinal tract was reduced to approximately 1/10 -1/16 of previous values. The reduction in viscosity promotes excretion without hardening the stool. This study also found that inter departmental cooperation is important -to provide consistent and detailed explanations to patients regarding drinking laxatives, water intake, and eating, -when undergoing barium contrast studies.
