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Aim Current literature emphasizes the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) and water-soluble contrast agent, Gastrografin, in the investigation of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). As there is no management protocol for ASBO at our institution, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of imaging methods—CT, Gastrografin challen...
Citations
... Meglumine diatrizoate effectively improved the local microenvironment in the abdominal cavity, relieved inflammation, reduced the pressure in the intestinal cavity, prepared the intestinal tract for surgery and helped postoperative functional recovery. The results of this study also showed that the postopera- tive recovery (length of hospital stay and pain relief time) of the transnasal ileus intubation + radiography group was better than that of the nasogastric intubation group, which further confirmed the clinical effect of meglumine diatrizoate as an adjuvant treatment [24,25]. ...
Objective:
To explore the guiding value of radiography after transnasal ileus intubation for the treatment of small bowel obstruction and the selection of surgical timing.
Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 133 patients with small bowel obstruction who were admitted to Gongli Hospital from January 2013 to December 2020. The patients were included in a nasogastric intubation group (n=65) or a transnasal ileus intubation + radiography group (n=68), according to different treatment methods. The response rate of non-surgical treatment, bowel function, observation time before surgery, postoperative complications and the recurrence rate were observed in both groups.
Results:
There was no significant difference in the response rate of non-surgical treatment and the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P=0.257 and P=0.959, respectively). The observation time before surgery was shorter and the recurrence rate of obstruction was lower in the transnasal ileus intubation + radiography group than those in the nasogastric intubation group. The pain relief time, first flatus time and hospital stay were shorter in the transnasal ileus intubation + radiography group than those in the nasogastric intubation group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). It was found that ascites and observation time before surgery were the influencing factors of surgical timing in patients with small bowel obstruction.
Conclusion:
Transnasal ileus intubation is an effective treatment for small bowel obstruction. Radiography after transnasal ileus intubation is helpful to determine the optimal surgical timing for small bowel obstruction, shorten the postoperative recovery time and reduce the recurrence rate in patients, so it is recommended in clinical practice.
Topicality . Adhesive intestinal obstruction is a common disease in abdominal surgery with a significant increase from year to year. During the last 20 years, the frequency of cases of adhesive intestinal obstruction (SCN) has increased by 2 times and has no tendency to decrease. In the UK, small bowel obstruction was an indication for 51% of all emergency laparotomies. Scott et al. reported seven emergency surgeries, accounting for 80% of all hospital admissions, morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in relation to general surgery in the United States. These seven operations included partial colectomy, small bowel resection, cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer surgery, adgeolysis, appendectomy, and laparotomy. Adhesive intestinal obstruction of the small intestine was the most frequent diagnosis in the behavior of four out of seven surgical interventions (partial colectomy, resection of the small intestine, adgeolysis and laparotomy). Postoperative adhesive processes are the main cause of small intestine obstruction, accounting for 60% of cases. Among all cases of intestinal obstruction, acute small intestine is 64.3–80%, while having a severe course and a worse prognosis. This causes a high mortality rate in this pathology. It ranges from 5.1% to 8.4%, occupying a leading place among all urgent diseases.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate various modern methods of diagnosing adhesive intestinal obstruction.
Material and methods . In this study, the method of classical analysis of domestic and foreign literature was applied, based on current data on the diagnosis of adhesive intestinal obstruction.
Results . Historically, there has been a certain algorithm for examining patients arriving with suspected adhesive intestinal obstruction, which includes: complaints, anamnesis of the disease and life, objective status, as well as additional diagnostic methods. Patients with OCD usually present a wide range of complaints, such as nausea, vomiting and periodic abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting follow the appearance of pain and are an early sign of proximal adhesive OCN. However, clinical symptoms are only partially able to diagnose adhesive intestinal obstruction. Laboratory data are of little significance in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, but they help to determine the presence and severity of metabolic disorders, homeostasis disorders, as well as to indicate possible starngulation. For the diagnosis of OCN, OBP survey radiography is routinely used. Computed tomography (CT) has a higher sensitivity and specificity compared to abdominal X-ray examination and is recommended by the Bologna Guidelines. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is increasingly used in the diagnosis of OCD. Ultrasound is a relatively simple inexpensive non-invasive imaging method that is devoid of radiation exposure, but depends on the operator's experience. To minimize the effects of ionizing radiation in children and pregnant women, magnetic resonance imaging is an effective alternative to computed tomography for intestinal obstruction.
Conclusion . The problem of adhesive intestinal obstruction remains highly relevant, given the prevalence of the disease and high mortality rates. Currently, new promising methods for diagnosing this disease, including biomarkers and high-tech methods for visualizing the pathological process, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are acquiring high importance. At the same time, one should not forget about the routine research methods – X-ray of the abdominal cavity and classical methods of examining the patient – collecting complaints, anamnesis and determining the objective status.
Objective
To review medical management of inoperable malignant bowel obstruction.
Data Sources
A literature review using PubMed and MEDLINE databases searching malignant bowel obstruction, etiology, types, pathophysiology, medical, antisecretory, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic drugs, analgesics, promotion of emptying, prevention of infection, anticholinergics, somatostatin analogs, gastric antisecretory drugs, prokinetic agents, glucocorticoid, opioid analgesics, antibiotics, enema, and adverse effects.
Study Selection and Data Extraction
Randomized or observational studies, cohorts, case reports, or reviews written in English between 1983 and November 2020 were evaluated.
Data Synthesis
Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) commonly occurs in patients with advanced or recurrent malignancies and severely affects the quality of life and survival of patients. Its management remains complex and variable. Medical management is the cornerstone of MBO treatment, with the goal of reducing distressing symptoms and optimizing quality of life. Until now, there has been neither a standard clinical approach nor registered medications to treat patients with inoperable MBO.
Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice
This review provides information on the etiology, type and pathophysiology, and medical treatment of MBO and related adverse reactions of the drugs commonly used, which can greatly assist clinicians in making clinical decisions when treating MBO.
Conclusions
Published research shows that medical management of MBO mainly consists of antisecretory, anti-inflammatory strategies, controlling vomiting and pain, promoting emptying, preventing infection, and combination therapy. Being knowledgeable about the most current treatment options, the related adverse effects, and the evidence supporting different practices is critical for clinicians to provide individualized medical therapy for MBO patients.
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) accounts for 12–16% of emergency surgical admissions and 20% of emergency surgical procedures. Even with the advent of laparoscopic surgery, intra‐abdominal adhesions remain a significant cause of SBO, accounting for 65% of cases. History and physical examination are essential to identify signs of bowel ischemia as this indicates a need for urgent surgical exploration. Another critical aspect of evaluation includes establishing the underlying cause for obstruction and distinguishing between adhesive and non‐adhesive etiologies as adhesive SBO (ASBO) can be managed non‐operatively in 70–90% of patients. A patient with a history of abdominopelvic surgery along with one or more cardinal features of obstruction should be suspected to have ASBO until proven otherwise. Triad of severe pain, pain out of proportion to the clinical findings, and presence of an abdominal scar suggest possible closed‐loop obstruction. Computed tomography has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to plain films and is recommended by the Bologna guidelines. Correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalance is an initial crucial step to mitigate severe hypovolemia. Patients should proceed with surgery if symptoms of bowel compromise are present, or if symptoms do not resolve or have worsened. Surgery is indicated in patients with ischemia, strangulation, perforation, peritonitis, or failure of non‐operative treatment. With advances in minimal access technology and increasing experience, laparoscopic adhesiolysis is recommended. Mechanical adhesion barriers are an effective measure to prevent adhesion formation.
