Telebrix Gastro in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to determine whether an abdominal radiograph 8 hours after ingesting oral Telebrix Gastro is a reliable marker for non-operative management in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction.


METHODS
During a 5-year period (January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2000), 97 patients were admitted for small bowel occlusion due to adhesion with no indication for immediate surgery. All received 100 mL of Telebrix Gastro via gastric tube for small bowel obstruction due to adhesion. If the contrast reached the colon within 8 hours on plain abdominal radiograph, the test was considered to be negative.


RESULTS
126 cases of small bowel occlusions were analyzed due to recurring episodes for 11 patients. The test was negative in 113 cases (89.7%), and in this group, only two patients underwent surgery, the remaining being managed non-operatively. The 13 cases (10.3%) with a positive test for occlusion underwent surgery. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the finding of contrast media reaching the colon as an indicator for conservative treatment were 98%, 100%, and 98%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A water-soluble contrast study can be of significant help in the clinical management of patients suspected of having small bowel obstruction.
Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
Agnès
A
Aulin
Jean-Philippe
JP
Sales
Samir
S
Bachar
Jérôme
J
Hennequin
Ahmed
A
Moumouh
Jean-Pierre
JP
Tasu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007483:Iothalamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012995:Solubility; D000267:Tissue Adhesions
D003287:Contrast Media; D007483:Iothalamic Acid; C002587:ioxitalamic acid