The predictive role of computed tomography with oral contrast in the successful management of adhesive small bowel obstruction

Author : Mohamed Khattab, Amr Ayad, Sameh Aziz, Peter Alaa, Marie N. Grace, Mohamed Saber

Abstract :Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) stands out as one of the most frequent and clinically significant complications following abdominal surgery. The present study aimed to investigate the role of computed tomography (CT) with oral contrast media in guiding treatment and predicting the success of conservative treatment in patients presenting with adhesive SBO. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study that was conducted on adult patients who were clinically and radiologically proven to have SBO and had a history of at least one previous abdominal surgical intervention. The included patients underwent CT examination of the abdomen and pelvis with oral contrast. Patients who had the oral contrast seen reaching the right colon were admitted and completed conservative management. Surgical intervention was indicated in patients who showed failure of treatment with oral contrast. Results: This study included 70 patients, of whom 29 (41.4%) had contrast in the right colon during CT examination after the first oral contrast administration. The remaining patients (n=41, 58.6%) indicated a second oral contrast CT study after 24 h. Sixteen (22.9%) patients had nonresolving obstructions and underwent surgical intervention. Overall, 52 (74.3%) patients were successfully treated with

Keywords :adhesions, adhesive small bowel obstruction, computed tomography with oral contrast, previous abdominal surgery.

Conference Name :International Conference on Applications of Gastrointestinal Surgery (ICAGS-25)

Conference Place London, UK

Conference Date 27th Jun 2025