Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2013; 19(43): 7489-7493
Published online Nov 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i43.7489
Challenges in diagnosing adhesive small bowel obstruction
Thijs R van Oudheusden, Bart AC Aerts, Ignace HJT de Hingh, Misha DP Luyer
Thijs R van Oudheusden, Ignace HJT de Hingh, Misha DP Luyer, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Bart AC Aerts, Department of Surgery, Amphia Hospital, 4818 CK, Breda, The Netherlands
Author contributions: van Oudheusden TR, Aerts BAC wrote the editorial; de Hingh IHJT reviewed the editorial for intellectual content; Luyer MDP supervised and reviewed the editorial.
Correspondence to: Misha DP Luyer, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. misha.luyer@catharinaziekenhuis.nl
Telephone: +31-40-2399111 Fax: +31-40-2455035
Received: July 16, 2013
Revised: September 15, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: November 21, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a frequently encountered disorder of the small intestine following abdominal surgery. Accurately predicting whether ASBO patients can be treated conservatively is required to prevent exposing patients unnecessarily to surgery-related risks, including morbidity and further adhesion formation. Although recent technological developments have improved the ability to identify those patients most fit for conservative management, the remaining patients with moderate findings upon clinical presentation remain a problem. Serum markers of intestinal ischemia are promising candidates for improving early diagnosis and identification of patients with strangulated bowel, who will benefit most from surgical management.