Implementation of an adhesive small bowel obstruction protocol using low-osmolar water soluble contrast and the impact on patient outcomes

A systematic review of participant descriptors reported in studies of adhesive small bowel obstruction

AIM

Reporting of participant descriptors in studies of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) can help identify characteristics associated with favourable outcomes and allow comparison with other studies and real-world clinical populations. The aim was to identify the pattern of participant descriptors reported in studies assessing interventions for ASBO.

METHOD

This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021281031) and reported in line with the PRISMA checklist. Systematic searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were undertaken to identify studies assessing operative and non-operative interventions for adults with ASBO. Studies were dual screened for inclusion. Descriptors were categorised into conceptual domains by the research team.

RESULTS

Searches identified 2648 studies, of which 73 were included. A total of 156 unique descriptors were identified. On average, studies reported 12 descriptors. The most frequently reported descriptors were sex, age, SBO aetiology, history of abdominal surgery, BMI and ASA classification. The highest number of descriptors in a single study was 34, compared to the lowest number of descriptors which was one. Pathway factors were the least frequently described domain. Overall, 37 descriptors were reported in just one study.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of consistency in participant descriptors reported in studies of SBO. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the descriptors were used infrequently. This makes it challenging to assess whether study participants are representative of the wider population. Further work is required to develop a Core Descriptor Set to standardise the reporting of patient characteristics and reduce heterogeneity between studies.

Paediatric Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction is Associated with a Substantial Economic Burden and High Frequency of Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal adhesions can lead to adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). The incidence of ASBO is higher in paediatric surgery than in adult surgery. However, ASBO related complications, economic burden and clear management guidelines in the treatment of ASBO are lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate underlying diagnoses, treatments, complications and costs in paediatric ASBO.

METHOD

An observational retrospective study in children 0-15 years, hospitalised for ASBO during 2000-2020. Data were extracted from the medical records. Complications were classified based on Clavien Dindo Classification of Surgical Complications. Descriptive statistics were presented as median, continuous variables and categorical variables summarised with frequencies. Time to ASBO was presented as a Kaplan-Meier estimate.

RESULTS

In total, 101 patients with 137 episodes of ASBO were included whereof 58.4% underwent first (index) surgery during the neonatal period. Median follow-up was 11.3 (0.6-19) years and median time to the first ASBO was 3.76 months (95%CI 2.23-12.02). The most common diagnoses at index surgery were necrotising enterocolitis, duodenal obstruction and primary ASBO. In 86.6% of the patients, first ASBO did not resolve with conservative treatment and a laparotomy was needed. Postoperative complications were found in 52%. Median cost for one episode of acute ASBO was 36 236 USD (1629-236 159).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal surgery was the dominating cause of ASBO and surgical intervention the most common treatment with a high frequency of postoperative complications and significant healthcare costs. Future studies are needed to develop safe management guidelines for the treatment of paediatric ASBO.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

III.

Obstrucción intestinal por adherencias: un lienzo en blanco en el que el cirujano elige los colores

Introducción. La obstrucción intestinal es una patología de alta prevalencia. Su abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico ha evolucionado acorde con el avance del conocimiento e implementación de la tecnología. El impacto de sus complicaciones obliga a redoblar esfuerzos en pro de lograr una mayor efectividad. Se hizo una aproximación reflexiva al problema, mediante una identificación de los puntos controversiales de interés para el cirujano general. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en varias bases de datos, utilizando dos ecuaciones de búsqueda que emplearon términos seleccionados a partir de los tesauros “Medical Subject Heading” (MeSH) y “Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud” (DeCS). Resultados. Se recolectaron 43 artículos y a partir de ellos se construyó el texto de revisión. La identificación pronta de los posibles candidatos a cirugía, mediante un esquema diagnóstico y terapéutico, se constituye en una prioridad en el manejo de estos pacientes. De igual manera, se efectúan consideraciones en la toma de decisiones con respecto a la vía quirúrgica, así como recomendaciones técnicas operatorias producto de la experiencia y lo reportado en la literatura. Existen factores propios del cirujano, del contexto y del paciente, que inciden en la resolución del problema. Conclusión. La obstrucción intestinal y sus implicaciones clínicas obligan a una reevaluación constante de su estado del arte y avances en el manejo, tendiente a una búsqueda de oportunidades para impactar favorablemente en su curso clínico. Hay estrategias por implementar, inclusive el manejo laparoscópico en casos seleccionados.

Current Management of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstructions in Children

Adhesive small bowel obstructions are a common cause of morbidity in children who underwent prior abdominal surgery. The concept of partial versus complete bowel obstruction is outdated and lacks precision to be clinically useful. Identifying patients with indications for immediate operative intervention is critical and must be recognized to limit morbidity. Clinical protocols and contrast challenge algorithms have attempted to identify patients that will resolve their bowel obstruction nonoperatively; there has been slow uptake in the pediatric patient population versus adults until recently. Incorporating predictive models and standardized contrast challenge protocols will help reduce interpractitioner variability and improve clinical outcomes.

Development of a Web-Based Nonoperative Small Bowel Obstruction Treatment Pathway App

OBJECTIVE

An electronic pathway for the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) was built and implemented on top of the electronic health record. The aims of this study are to describe the development of the electronic pathway and to report early outcomes.

METHODS

The electronic SBO pathway was designed and implemented at a single institution. All patients admitted to a surgical service with a diagnosis of adhesive SBO were enrolled. Outcomes were compared across three time periods: (1) patients not placed on either pathway from September 2013 through December 2014, (2) patients enrolled in the paper pathway from January 2017 through January 2018, and (3) patients enrolled in the electronic pathway from March through October 2018. The electronic SBO pathway pulls real-time data from the electronic health record to prepopulate the evidence-based algorithm. Outcomes measured included length of stay (LOS), time to surgery, readmission, surgery, and need for bowel resection. Comparative analyses were completed with Pearson's chi-squared, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

There were 46 patients enrolled in the electronic pathway compared with 93 patients on the paper pathway, and 101 nonpathway patients. Median LOS was lower in both pathway cohorts compared with those not on either pathway (3 days [range 1-11] vs. 3 days [range 1-27] vs. 4 days [range 1-13], p = 0.04). Rates of readmission, surgery, time to surgery, and bowel resection were not significantly different across the three groups.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to implement and utilize an electronic, evidence-based clinical pathway for adhesive SBOs. Use of the electronic and paper pathways was associated with decreased hospital LOS for patients with adhesive SBOs.