Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction Following Contrast Challenge Versus Surgical Intervention at Index Presentation:1-Year Follow-Up of the Adhesive Bowel Obstruction in Children (ABC) Study

This study investigates the long-term outcomes of contrast challenge (CC) in pediatric patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) by assessing the recurrence of ASBO and the need for surgical intervention within one year of initial admission. The findings reveal that the 1-year recurrence rate was 13%, and neither the use of CC nor surgical intervention at the index admission significantly influenced recurrence rates or the failure of non-operative management. The authors conclude that CC remains a valuable diagnostic tool for determining the need for surgery in recurrent ASBO cases.