DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2021.v07i08.017

Pages: 471-473

Aims: Adhesive small bowel obstruction is a common surgical problem, yet there has been no standard protocol for its management. In the absence of bowel strangulation, majority of adhesive obstruction cases can be treated conservatively. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible use of liquid paraffin in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction conservatively in the pediatric age group, and its safety and effectiveness in reducing the hospital stay and operative intervention rate. Methods: This prospective randomized study was conducted in 30 patients who had diagnosed post operative adhesive small bowel obstruction, attending the department of Pediatric Surgery, SMS Medical College and Attached hospitals Jaipur, during the period between October, 2014 to March, 2016. After stabilization, patients were received liquid paraffin through nasogastric tubing in addition to the conservative treatment. Serial clinical and radiological monitoring was performed. If symptoms of peritonitis developed or if the obstruction did not resolve spontaneously after seventy two hours of admission, a laparotomy was performed. The duration of hospital stay, time between admission and first oral feed, passage of stool/flatus was recorded. Results: The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.2 days. 7 (24%) patients not improving after seventy two hours of conservative therapy underwent exploratory laparotomy. Patients who responded to conservative therapy, the time to oral feed was 3 days. No serious adverse reaction was noted after liquid paraffin administration.
. Conclusion: The use of liquid paraffin in adhesive small bowel obstruction is safe and reduces the need for surgical intervention.