Comparison of Outcomes of Management of Bowel Obstruction

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Jul 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a condition called adhesive small bowel obstruction, which happens when scar tissue in the abdomen blocks the small intestine. The study is testing whether adding a medicine called dexamethasone, along with regular supportive care, helps patients recover without needing surgery, compared to supportive care alone. The goal is to see if dexamethasone can help more people get better safely without complications.

Adults 18 years and older who come to the hospital with this type of bowel blockage and do not need immediate surgery might be eligible to join. To participate, patients must have a diagnosis confirmed by a CT scan and symptoms showing the blockage is caused by scar tissue, not other problems like hernias or infections. If you join, you will receive either dexamethasone plus usual care or just usual care, and the doctors will monitor your recovery. The study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to find safer ways to treat this common condition without surgery when possible.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults ≥18 years of age recruited from UWMC
• • Patients presenting to surgical services through the Emergency Department, diagnosis of SBO, consulted by surgeon, and an urgent or emergency operation is deemed not necessary by surgeon.
• • Diagnosis of aSBO is established by;
• • 1. CT findings consistent with diagnosis of SBO; and
• • 2. signs and symptoms consistent with SBO; and
• • 3. Adhesions are the likely cause of SBO (absence of incarcerated hernia, internal hernia, masses, fistula, stricture, volvulus, acute episode of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare, etc.).
• • Ability to provide written or electronic informed consent in English and answer teach-back questions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Signs and symptoms of peritonitis with emergency operation planned
• • Planned urgent operation within the next 12 hours
• • Allergy to dexamethasone
• • Surgery within prior 6 weeks
• • Unable or unwilling to return or be contacted for and/or complete research surveys
• • Currently incarcerated in a detention facility or in police custody (patients wearing a monitoring device can be enrolled) at baseline/screening
• • Individuals with latent infections who have an increased risk of infection.