Prevention and acute management of biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Expert consensus statement.

Gallstone disease is very common and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures all over the world. Parallel to the increase in the number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies, bile duct injuries also increased. The reported incidence of bile duct injuries ranges from 0.3% to 1.4%. Many of the bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are not due to inexperience, but are the result of basic technical failures and misinterpretations. A working group of expert hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons, an endoscopist, and a specialist of forensic medicine study searched and analyzed the publications on safe cholecystectomy and biliary injuries complicating laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the organization of Turkish Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Association. After a series of e-mail communications and two conferences, the expert panel developed consensus statements for safe cholecystectomy, management of biliary injuries and medicolegal issues. The panel concluded that iatrogenic biliary injury is an overwhelming complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and an important issue in malpractice claims. Misidentification of the biliary system is the major cause of biliary injuries. To avoid this, the "critical view of safety" technique should be employed in all the cases. If biliary injury is identified intraoperatively, reconstruction should only be performed by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons. In the postoperative period, any deviation from the expected clinical course of recovery should alert the surgeon about the possibility of biliary injury.

A rare pathology that caused high-level intestinal obstruction: Left paraduodenal hernia.

The aim of this report is to assess clinical findings and surgical treatment of left paraduodenal hernia, which is an unusual type of internal herniation, in light of the literature. The diagnosis and treatment course of a 42-year-old male patient with findings of intestinal obstruction was assessed and presented together with literature search. The patient underwent surgery with a preliminary diagnosis of intestinal obstruction and the definitive diagnosis of internal herniation was made intraoperatively. Nearly two-thirds of the small intestine was found to be herniated into the retroperitoneal space from the left paraduodenal region. Small bowel loops were pulled out of the hernia sac and anatomically positioned in the intraperitoneal area. The hernia sac was repaired primarily. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day, uneventfully. Left paraduodenal hernia should be considered as a part of differential diagnosis in patients who have recurring abdominal pain episodes accompanied by symptoms suggestive of intestinal obstruction. Timely diagnosis is important to prevent complications. Reduction of hernia content followed by primary repair of the defect appears to be a safe and effective treatment.

Abdominal aortic injury due to lumbar disc surgery: A case report.

Complications arising from lumbar intervertebral disc surgery are rare but fatal. Major vascular injury is one complication that may end in death unless it is diagnosed and treated immediately. Herein we report an abdominal aortic injury due to L3-L4 intervertebral disc surgery that was treated successfully and discuss it in light of current literature. Diagnosis and treatment of an abdominal aortic injury in a 31-year-old male patient operated on for L3-L4 intervertebral disc degeneration is discussed. Interestingly, in spite of abdominal aortic injury this particular patient was hemodynamically stable. The diagnosis was made 12 hours after disc surgery and laparotomy was performed immediately. As the injury in the aorta was large and had irregular margins, it could not be repaired with primary repair but an end-to-end anastomosis with partial resection was performed. In lumbar intervertebral disc hernia surgery, peroperative hemodynamic instability should raise suspicion of major vascular injury with high mortality and appropriate surgical treatment should be done as soon as possible. If there is any finding suggesting an intraoperative vascular injury, the patient should be kept under close monitoring in order not to delay diagnosis and treatment. It should not be forgotten that hemodynamic stability does not rule out major vascular injury.

Preoperative administration of oral carbohydrate-rich solutions: Comparison of glucometabolic responses and tolerability between patients with and without insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative carbohydrate loading with clear fluids is thought to reduce surgery-related insulin resistance (IR). However, IR per se is already present in some patients scheduled for elective surgery. Data on the safety of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading in patients with IR undergoing surgery is lacking. We aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on the glucometabolic state and gastric content of patients with and without IR. METHODS: Thirty-four non-diabetics received 800 mL of a special carbohydrate-containing drink on the evening before the operation and then 400 mL 2 h before surgery. Blood samples for glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels were taken immediately before the second dose, at 40 and 90 min after intake of the drink, and at the onset of surgery. Patients with a homeostasis model assessment IR score >2.5 were considered to have IR. The differences between patients with and without IR were then evaluated. RESULTS: Eight of the 34 patients had IR and the remaining 26 did not. Glucose levels in the IR group were higher than those in the non-IR group, but the differences did not reach significance. The initially elevated insulin concentrations then tended to decrease to the corresponding levels detected in the non-IR group. The cortisol concentrations were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with IR receiving a carbohydrate-rich drink before surgery appear not to be affected adversely by the beverage. Furthermore, they also obtain the probable beneficial effects related to these drinks and, like patients without IR, can undergo surgery safely.

Management and mid- to long-term results of early referred bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile duct injuries (BDI) usually need operative repair and remain as a challenge even for surgeons who specialize in hepatobiliary surgery. The objective of this study was to define the presentation, in-hospital management, and mid- to long-term outcome of BDIs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) referred to a tertiary center in their early period. METHODOLOGY: From January 1996 to January 2006, 31 patients with BDI sustained during or after LC were treated at our institution. Patients were referred to our center from 18 community hospitals in their first 15 postoperative days. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed; presentation, management, and follow-up details recorded at the primary hospitals and at our institution were documented. RESULTS: There were 5 patients with type-A and one with type-C injury, according to Strasberg classification. The remainders had a major BDI. The mean time to referral was 3.45 (median 2) days. Treatment methods chosen after referral were as follows: drainage-observation in 2 patients (6.5%), nasobiliary drainage in 4 (12.9%), endoscopic sphincterotomy plus biliary stenting in 1 (3.2%), and surgical intervention (duct-to-duct anastomosis or biliary-enteric reconstruction) in 24 patients (77.4%). Although a success rate of 83.3% was achieved in the early period, 10 patients (32.3%) had late postoperative complications (stricture and cholangitis), and of these, 3 required endoscopic stent placement, and 7 patients underwent a biliary diversion with Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy. One out of 24 patients with long-term follow-up developed biliary cirrhosis, and one patient with malignancy expired. CONCLUSIONS: Minor BDIs can be satisfactorily treated with endoscopic interventions. Extended lateral injuries, complete CBD transsections, and long segment stenosis usually require surgical therapy. Duct-to-duct anastomosis may be an option as the first-line therapy in selected patients after early referral, though many patients eventually require a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Does the type of resuscitative fluid affect healing of colonic anastomosis in experimentally induced hemorrhagic shock in rats?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different resuscitative fluids on the healing of intestinal anastomosis in a hemorrhagic-shock rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Closed-colony Wistar male rats (n = 40; 8 rats per group) were subjected to volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock, followed by a 30-min shock phase. The animals were then resuscitated with one of the following fluids (which also corresponds to their respective groups): lactated Ringer's solution (LR), hydroxyethyl starch (HES), 7.5% hypertonic saline (HS) and autologous blood (AB). There was also a control group (CL), which did not experience hemorrhagic shock or receive any resuscitative fluids. All rats underwent laparotomy, segmental resection and anastomosis of the left colon. Five days later, a 2nd laparotomy was performed and the anastomotic bursting pressure was measured in vivo. Thereafter, the anastomosed segment was resected to measure the tissue hydroxyproline level and the grade of anastomotic fibrosis. RESULTS: All experimental groups (LR, HES, HS and AB) exhibited lower anastomotic bursting pressures than the CL group; however, no intergroup differences achieved statistical significance. The mean tissue hydroxyproline level and fibrosis grade also were similar across all 5 groups. CONCLUSION: In traumatic hemorrhagic shock, anastomosis safety does not appear to be affected by the type of fluid used for resuscitation. Moreover, LR, HES and HS all seemed to reinforce healing as effectively as transfused blood.

Effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on glucose metabolism and gastric contents in patients undergoing moderate surgery: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Despite contrary evidence, the practice of overnight fasting before elective surgery maintains its place in tradition. However, prolonged starvation, by its catabolic action, may increase the detrimental effects of surgery. In this study, we evaluated the effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading on the gastric contents of patients and perioperative metabolism. METHODS: Seventy patients scheduled for cholecystectomy or thyroidectomy randomly were assigned to the treatment or control group. Patients in the treatment group (n = 34) received 800 mL of a carbohydrate-rich fluid on the evening before surgery and 400 mL of the same fluid 2 h preoperatively. Conversely, control patients (n = 36) underwent overnight fasting. Plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were obtained across the perioperative period and during anesthesia induction. The volume and pH of preoperative residual gastric contents also were measured. RESULTS: Preoperative plasma glucose levels were found to remain significantly higher in patients who had received the carbohydrate-rich fluid. Serum insulin levels that were elevated initially in the study group returned to control levels by the time of anesthesia induction. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to gastric residue contents or gastric fluid pH. CONCLUSION: The preoperative intake of carbohydrate-rich fluids does not appear to alter the amount or pH of gastric contents, suggesting that this is a safe procedure, in terms of aspiration risk. Furthermore, the intake of such fluid might prevent energy malnutrition.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after liver transplantation: rapid and complete response to combined and sequential antifungal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a rare, but severe and potentially fatal, complication after liver transplantation. There is no therapeutic regimen accepted worldwide for both initial and continuation therapy; nevertheless, several options have been proposed. METHODS: Case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature. RESULTS: In a patient with pulmonary aspergillosis after a liver transplant, combined and sequential therapy with caspofungin and voriconazole with termination of the immunosuppressive regimen and careful management were helpful to control the infection rapidly, possibly because of a positive drug interaction. CONCLUSION: In cases of invasive aspergillosis that are refractory to monotherapy, this regimen may be used in an attempt to overcome the infection.

Effects and Results of Omentopexy During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that gastric volvulus can be prevented by omentopexy and sleeve gastrectomy without increasing other complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1385 patients who underwent omentopexy and sleeve gastrectomy between April 2013 and September 2017 were included this study. Body mass index, age, sex, comorbidities, and postoperative complications of the patients were recorded as data. RESULTS: A total of 1385 patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy and omentopexy. There were 999 female and 386 male patients. The mean age of the patients was 36 years (14 to 71 y). The mean body mass index was 42.74 kg/m (35 to 73 kg/m). Twenty-one patients had previously undergone gastric banding and the other 80 patients had previous abdominal operation. The number of patients undergoing simultaneous cholecystectomy was 98. Three patients had hemorrhage due to hypertension and anticoagulant treatment in the postoperative period and the patients were treated medically. One staple-line leakage was observed. Twist, and stricture were not observed and no mortalities were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve gastrectomy and omentopexy can prevent the gastric twist, which is a functional cause of gastric stenosis, by stabilizing the posterior stomach wall.

BRAF Inhibitors for BRAF V600E Mutant Colorectal Cancers: Literature Survey and Case Report.

The main method of fighting against colon cancer is targeted treatment. BRAF inhibitors, which are accepted as standard treatment for V600E mutant malign melanomas, are the newest approach for targeted treatment of V600E mutant colorectal cancers. In this case report, we share our experience about the use of BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib on a V600E mutant metastatic right colon adenocarcinoma patient. A 59-year-old male with only lung multiple metastatic V600E mutant right colon cancer presented to our clinic. The patient was evaluated and FOLFOX + bevacizumab treatment was initiated, which was then continued with vemurafenib. A remarkable response was achieved with vemurafenib treatment in which the drug resistance occurred approximately in the sixth month. Even though the patient benefited majorly from vemurafenib, he died on the 20th month of the diagnosis. The expected overall survival for metastatic V600E mutant colon adenocarcinoma patients is 4.7 months. BRAF inhibitors provide new treatment alternatives for V600E mutant colorectal cancers, with prolonged overall survival. BRAF inhibitors in combination with MEK inhibitors are reported as feasible treatment to overcome BRAF inhibitor drug resistance on which phase studies are still in progress. To conclude, BRAF inhibitors alone or in combination with other drugs provide a chance for curing BRAF V600E mutant colorectal cancer patients.

Extracapsular extension is associated with increased ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes in axillary node-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Extracapsular extension of nodal tumor cells, although it is not a parameter of staging, has recently been shown to be correlated with the high number of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with axillary-positive breast cancer. It is suggested that the use of involved/examined lymph node ratio instead of the number of metastatic lymph nodes in axillary evaluation would obtain standardized prognostic data for patient management. This study investigated the association of the extracapsular extension with the lymph node ratio in a node-positive group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of 170 patients with positive axillary status were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 54 were extracapsular extension positive, and the remaining were extracapsular extension negative. A comparison was made between extracapsular extension-positive and extracapsular extension-negative groups with respect to some potential prognostic indicators. RESULTS: Number of metastatic lymph nodes, number of examined lymph nodes, and involved/examined lymph node ratio were found to be significantly higher in patients with a presence of extracapsular extension. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the presence of extracapsular extension might force physicians to perform more aggressive adjuvant therapies and that the extracapsular extension could be a valuable parameter in the management of breast cancer because it has a strong relationship with the proven prognostic factors.

Accurate positioning of the 24-hour pH monitoring catheter: agreement between manometry and pH step-up method in two patient positions.

AIM: To investigate the agreement between esophageal manometry and pH step-up method in two different patient positions. METHODS: Eighteen subjects were included in the study. First, the distance from the nose to the proximal border of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was measured manometrically. Then a different investigator, who was blinded to the results of the first study, measured the same distance using the pH step-up method, with the patient in both upright and supine positions. An assessment of agreement between the two techniques was performed. RESULTS: In the supine position, the measurement of only one subject was outside the range accepted for correct positioning (< or = 3 cm distal or proximal to the LES). In the upright position, errors in measurement were recognized in five subjects. Bland-Altman plots revealed good agreement between measurements obtained manometrically and by the pH-step up method with the patient in the supine position. CONCLUSION: In the case of nonavailability of manometric detection device, the pH step-up method can facilitate the positioning of the 24 h pH monitoring catheter with the patient in the supine position. This should increase the use of pH-metry in clinical practice for subjects with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease if our results are supported by further studies.

The factors affecting length of stay of the patients undergoing appendectomy surgery in a military teaching hospital.

The principal objectives of this study were to identify the main predictors of the length of postoperative hospital stay for patients undergoing appendectomy in a military training hospital in Turkey, to examine the effects of each significant predictor, and to justify to hospital health care managers the reasons why an increase in effective use of hospital utilization resources is needed and so important. This study gives the results of a 2-year retrospective study conducted at Gulhane Military Medical Academy between January 2003 and January 2005. The medical files of 417 patients undergoing appendectomy during this 2-year period were reviewed. A number of demographic and clinical patient characteristics were examined to determine their significance in lengthening the post-operative and total hospital stay. After taking all demographic and clinical patient characteristics into account, it was determined that those patients who were temporary or short-term service members and whose medical complications were more severe were more likely to stay in the hospital for longer periods. Despite its limitations, the study reveals that factors affecting variations in resource utilization can be minimized by following very simple administrative procedures. Furthermore, the results could increase awareness among hospital managers of the significant factors involved for health care providers in modifying their behavior concerning resource utilization decisions.

Large vesicula seminalis cyst: a very rare cause of constipation and male infertility.

We report a 35-year-old male patient with chronic constipation and infertility for 4 years. Spermiogram revealed severe oligospermia. An external mass compressing the rectum was found during rectal examination and flexible rectosigmoidoscopy. Abdominal computed tomography showed a presacral cystic mass which displaced the bladder anteriorly. The cyst was completely removed with open surgery. Histopathologic analysis revealed a cystic lesion covered with squamous epithelium including polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages and sperm cells. After the operation, the patient's symptoms were relieved. We considered that the constipation was caused by external compression by the vesicula seminalis cyst. In cases of constipation with infertility, vesicula seminalis cyst should be kept in mind.

Prevention of Intraabdominal Adhesions: An Experimental Study Using Mitomycin-C and 4% Icodextrin.

BACKGROUND: Intraabdominal adhesions remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Moreover, intraabdominal adhesions can develop in more than 50% of abdominal operations. AIMS: We compared the anti-adhesive effects of two different agents on postoperative adhesion formation in a cecal abrasion model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study. METHODS: Forty Wistar albino type female rats were anesthetized and underwent laparotomy. Study groups comprised Sham, Control, Mitomycin-C, 4% Icodextrin, and Mitomycin-C +4% Icodextrin groups. Macroscopic and histopathological evaluations of adhesions were performed. RESULTS: The frequencies of moderate and severe adhesions were significantly higher in the control group than the other groups. The mitomycin-C and Mitomycin-C +4% Icodextrin groups were associated with significantly lower adhesion scores compared to the control group and 4% Icodextrin group scores (p=0.002 and p=0.008, respectively). The adhesion scores of the Mitomycin-C group were also significantly lower than those of the 4% Icodextrin group (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Despite its potential for bone marrow toxicity, Mitomycin-C seems to effectively prevent adhesions. Further studies that prove an acceptable safety profile relating to this promising anti-adhesive agent are required before moving into clinical trials.

Preoperative and postoperative administration of hyperbaric oxygen improves biochemical and mechanical parameters on ischemic and normal colonic anastomoses.

Colonic anastomotic leaks are a major postoperative complication, causing increased mortality and morbidity. Tissue ischemia is one of the most important factors that disrupt anastomotic healing. It is possible to reverse inadequate tissue oxygenation by using increased atmospheric pressure and hyperoxia, which are obtained from hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO). Our aim was to investigate the effects of preoperative and postoperative HBO treatment on normal and ischemic colonic anastomoses in rats. Eighty male Wistar Albino rats, weighing between 180 and 240 g, were divided into 8 equal groups. A 1-cm segment of left colon was resected 3 cm proximal to the peritoneal reflection in all groups and colonic anastomosis was performed. In groups 2, 4, 6 and 8, colonic ischemia was established by ligating 2 cm of mesocolon on either side of the anastomosis. Control groups (1 and 2) received no HBO. HBO treatment was given preoperatively in groups 3 and 4, postoperatively in groups 5 and 6, and both preoperatively and postoperatively in groups 7 and 8. HBO treatment was applied for 2 days in the preoperative period and 4 days in the postoperative period. Relaparotomy was performed on postoperative day 5 and a perianastomotic colon segment 2 cm in length was excised for detection of biochemical and mechanical parameters of anastomotic healing and histopathological evaluation. HBO treatment increased tissue hydroxyproline levels in all groups, and this difference was significant in normal anastomosis groups receiving preoperative HBO compared to controls (p = .013 for group 1 vs. group 3; p = .023 for group 1 vs. group 5). This improvement was more evident in ischemic and normal groups treated by administration of combined pre- and postoperative HBO (p = .021 and p = .013). HBO treatment also increased the mean bursting pressure values in all groups, and again, a statistically significant increase was noted in the ischemic groups compared to controls (p = .002 for group 2 vs. group 6; p = .001 for group 2 vs. group 8). Histopathological evaluation of anastomotic line fibrosis was not found to show significant differences between the groups. Adequate tissue oxygenation is the main factor in wound and anastomosis healing. HBO treatment has a positive effect on biochemical and mechanical parameters of ischemic and normal colon anastomoses in rats. It is possible to see this effect more clearly with combined HBO treatment applied before and after ischemic anastomosis.

An adult choledochocele case presented with gastric outlet obstruction: a rare presentation.

Bile duct cyst is a biliary tract disease that is less common among adults compared to children, and it is accepted to have a congenital entity. The classical findings constitute a triad including abdominal pain, jaundice and abdominal mass. However, infective findings also occur in case of developed cholangitis, pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Duodenal obstruction leads to a rarely seen case in patients accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and it may easily be confused with other obstruction causes. We present a case report of an adult male patient with complaints of abdominal pain, and intermittent nausea and vomiting. Due to failure of attempted endoscopic approach for treatment, we performed transduodenal cyst excision during surgical procedure on the patient diagnosed to have type III biliary tract cyst. The complaints of the patient decreased significantly after the surgical therapy compared to the previous period and no complication was observed.

An unusual complication of the use of stapler after Hartmann's procedure.

BACKGROUND: Circular anastomotic staplers have been used in colorectal surgery for several years with low complication rates. We report here an extremely rare case of direct colovaginal anastomosis and rectovaginal fistula occurred by using a 31 end-to-end anastomosis stapler after reversal of Hartmann's Procedure. STUDY DESIGN: A 33-year-old woman with complaint of rectal bleeding had undergone low anterior resection and end colostomy for rectal adenocarcinoma in 1995. In spite of making recommendation for colostomy closure, she had postponed the operation until 2003 due to afraid of incontinence. After reversal of Hartmann's procedure achieved by using circular stapler and diverting ileostomy, she developed complaints of vaginal gas and minimal vaginal fecal discharge. RESULT: Endoscopic examination and imaging methods revealed a rectovaginal fistula with a blind Hartmann's pouch. After a certain verification of complexity of the case, a reoperation which comprises true intestinal anastomosis and repair of fistula was performed. Postoperative period was uneventful except an incisional infection, and ileostomy was closed subsequently. CONCLUSION: A rectovaginal fistula, though encountered rarely, must be taken into account in cases with suspicious complaints after using circular stapler for pelvic intestinal anastomosis. Careful placement of stapler in accurate direction has a great importance to avoid stapling related complications.

Comparison of the effects of Mitomycin-C and sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose [NH/CMC] (Seprafilm) on abdominal adhesions.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal adhesions (IA) may occur after abdominal surgery and also may lead to complications such as infertility, intestinal obstruction and chronic pain. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Mitomycin-C (MM-C) and sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose [NH/CMC] on abdominal adhesions in a cecal abrasion model and to investigate the toxicity of MM-C on complete blood count (CBC) and bone marrow analyses. METHODS: The study comprised forty rats in four groups (Control, Sham, Cecal abrasion + MM-C, and Cecal abrasion + NH/CMC). On postoperative day 21, all rats except for the control (CBC + femur resection) group, were sacrificed. Macroscopical and histopathological evaluations of abdominal adhesions were performed. In order to elucidate the side effects of MM-C; CBC analyses and femur resections were performed to examine bone marrow cellularity. RESULTS: CBC analyses and bone marrow cellularity assessment revealed no statistically significant differences between MM-C, NH/CMC and control groups. No significant differences in inflammation scores were observed between the groups. The MM-C group had significantly lower fibrosis scores compared to the NH/CMC and sham groups. Although the adhesion scores were lower in the MM-C group, the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Despite its potential for systemic toxicity, MM-C may show some anti-fibrosis and anti-adhesive effects. MM-C is a promising agent for the prevention of IAs, and as such, further trials are warranted to study efficacy.

Comparison of Urografin versus standard therapy in postoperative small bowel obstruction.

Water-soluble contrast media (Urografin) cause redistribution of intravascular and extracellular fluid into intestinal lumen due to their hyperosmolarity. As a consequence, these media decrease intestinal wall edema and act as a direct stimulant to intestinal peristalsis. In this prospective study, we aimed to examine objectively the therapeutic role and ability of Urografin in patients with postoperative small bowel obstruction for whom failed to respond to conservative treatment. Three hundred and seventeen patients with postoperative small bowel obstruction due to intraperitoneal adhesions were included prospectively in this study. In the Urografin group, 40 mL Urografin diluted in 40 mL distilled water was administered through the nasogastric tube. No contrast media were administered in the control group, but the patients were decompressed via a nasogastric tube continuously. The number of obstruction episode in 317 patients was 338. In total, 199 patients were in the Urografin group, and 118 patients were in the control group. In the Urografin group, 178 (89.4%) patients responded successfully to the treatment, but 21 (11.6%) patients underwent surgical operation. Intensive intraabdominal adhesions and obstructing fibrous bands were observed and repaired in 15 (71.4%) patients at the operation, while 6 patients underwent segmental small intestine resection in control group, conventional management was successful in only 89 (75.4%) patients, and the remaining 29 (24.6%) patients underwent surgical intervention. In conclusion, it was suggested that in patients with intestinal obstruction due to postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion, water-soluble contrast media such as Urografin may be safely administered via a nasogastric tube or oral route and may decrease the need for surgical operation; furthermore, they may help the physician to operate the patients who needs surgery as early as possible.