ABSTRACT
Many published studies have shown that Gastrografin can be used for diagnosis post operative acute small bowel obstruction [ASBO] and assessing the need for surgical intervention. However, the studies have reported conflicting results hence the aim of our study to test this hypothesis. Altogather 100 patients with 117 episodes of ASBO were randomized into control and gastrografin groups in a double blinded fashion. Eight episodes in eight patients were excluded due to protocol violation. In Gastrografin group, 100 ml of the dye administered through a nasogastric tube and complete-obstruction has been considered if the contrast failed to reach the colon on the 24-hour film .Patients were operated on only if they developed signs of strangulation or failed to improve within 48 hours. Gasrografin group showed a significant decrease of both the time between admission and operation [P = 0.001] and that of hospital stay [P = 0.000]. The need for surgery was reduced but statistically insignificant [P = 0.225]. Oral Gastrografin helps in the management of ASBO