Abstract:
Relevance. Early diagnosis and objective determination of the presence and degree of intestinal obstruction is
important for practicing surgeons. The abdominal X-ray examination, the contrast passage examination, and in
some cases computer tomography are used for clinical confirmation of this pathological condition.
Purpose – to reveal the diagnostic value of clinical investigation methods in children with adhesive intestinal
obstruction.
Materials and methods. We followed up 89 children with adhesive intestinal obstruction. All the children, in
addition to a complete clinical physical examination during hospitalization, had the clinical investigation in order
to verify the diagnosis: X-ray examination and ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
Results. According to our data, the main signs of intestinal obstruction at the X-ray examination of the abdominal
cavity were the absence of gas in the large intestine (66; 74.2%), hydroaeric levels or Kloiber’s cups (58; 65.2%) and
dilation of small intestine loops ≥3 cm (37; 41.6%); at the ultrasound of the abdominal organs – dilation of the small
intestine loops ≥3 cm (70; 78.7%) and an ineffective peristalsis (33; 37.1%).
Conclusions. Rapid diagnosis of the surgical disaster in children with suspected adhesive intestinal obstruction and
important information is provided by X-ray examination and ultrasound examination of abdominal organs. Ultrasound
diagnosis of abdominal organs in patients with peritoneal adhesions is non-invasive and sufficiently informative for
multiple monitoring of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment without negative impact on the patient.
The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was
approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was
obtained for conducting the studies.
No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
