A retrospective cohort study of gastrografin in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction during pregnancy

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) during pregnancy is a critical condition that remains understudied. This study aimed to address management challenges of ASBO in pregnancy by evaluating the dual diagnostic and therapeutic role of gastrografin. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of pregnant patients with ASBO admitted between September 2018 and September 2023. Patients were categorized into conventional treatment or gastrografin groups based on received therapy. The groups showed no significant differences in demographics, baseline characteristics, or adverse events. However, the gastrografin group demonstrated superior outcomes, including a higher conservative treatment success rate, reduced need for surgery, shorter hospital stays, lower medical costs, and enhanced diagnostic utility. Gastrografin appears relatively safe in pregnancy, with its effective therapeutic action and precise diagnostic capability proving instrumental in managing ASBO.