SBO ACTION: Conservative Small Bowel Obstruction management in the absence of standard ConTrast agents ON outcomes

Abstract

Bowel obstruction is a common condition, accounting for 12–16% of acute surgical admissions1. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is the most frequent site, comprising half of all emergency laparotomies performed in England and Wales between 2019 and 20202. The leading cause of SBO is intra-abdominal adhesions, with adhesional small bowel obstruction (aSBO) accounting for approximately 60% of cases3. Optimal management of aSBO remains a subject of ongoing debate.