Intravenous hypertonic dextrose in conservatively managed adhesive small bowel obstruction: An exploratory
Deepti B Sharma1, Alok Deshmukh2, Ravikant Mahant3
1Professor and Head, Department of Surgery, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, MP, India.
Tropical Doctor
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Intravenous hypertonic dextrose may aid conservative treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) in low-resource settings. This study explored its use as an adjunctive therapy for non-operative ASBO management.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Innovation
- Medical Therapeutics
Background:
- Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a frequent surgical complication.
- Conservative management is standard, often using water-soluble contrast CT scans.
- Resource limitations can hinder access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adjunctive use of intravenous 25% dextrose in non-operative management of ASBO.
- To explore a potential therapeutic option in resource-limited environments.
- To assess the role of hypertonic dextrose in managing intestinal edema and function in ASBO.
Main Methods:
- Observational study design.
- Inclusion of selected patients with ASBO managed non-operatively.
- Administration of 25% dextrose (40 mL daily for 3 days) as an adjunct therapy.
- Conducted at a tertiary care center in central India.
Main Results:
- The study describes the observational experience with intravenous dextrose in ASBO.
- It highlights a potential adjunctive role for dextrose in conservative ASBO management.
- Further research is needed to clarify its efficacy and safety.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous hypertonic dextrose presents a potential adjunctive therapy for non-operative ASBO management.
- Its utility may be particularly relevant in low-resource settings where advanced diagnostics are limited.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to establish definitive evidence for its use.
Keywords:
Adhesive small bowel obstructionconservative managementhypertonic solutionsintestinal oedemaintravenous dextroselow-resource settingsMore Related Videos
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