SBFT Is Beneficial for Patients with Suspect Small Bowel Obstruction

Soult A, Van Horn, A, Sturm, E, et al. Use of Small Bowel Follow Through in Management of Small Bowel Obstruction. J Am Coll Surg. 2025, in press.

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) is associated with significant morbidity and increased healthcare costs. Radiographic contrast studies with small bowel follow through (SBFT) can facilitate diagnosis and management by confirming the diagnosis and the location of the obstruction but use and timing of this test is inconsistent.

This study reported data from a retrospective review of patient records (n = 799) from a single healthcare system. Timing of SBFT was recorded in patients who underwent the procedure, and outcomes in SBFT patients were compared to outcomes in patients who were diagnosed with SBO but did not undergo SBFT.

The data analysis showed that patients who underwent early (<48 hours after admission) SBFT were more likely to be admitted to a surgical service. This group also had earlier operative intervention, a shorter length of stay, and a lower frequency of readmissions.

The authors concluded that the use of early SBFT was beneficial for patients with suspected SBO. These data suggest that admission of patients with suspected SBO to a surgical service is associated with improved efficiency of care and reduced costs.