Use of a Water Soluble Contrast-Based protocol to Assist in the Management of Pediatric Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction

October 21, 2021

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common problem following abdominal surgery.  The use of water-soluble enteral contrast protocols in adults have been shown to reduce unnecessary operations and identify those patients that need an operation earlier.  Little is known about the utility of water-soluble enteral contrast protocols is children with ASBO.  The goal of this study is to determine if water-soluble enteral contrast protocols are safe and effective in the non-operative management of ASBO in children and are successful earlier identification of patients that will fail non-operative management.  This study prospective observational study leverages the variations in the management ASBO across the 10 WPSRC sites to answer these important clinical questions.