Water-soluble radiocontrast material in the treatment of postoperative ileus.

Reviewed was a series of 47 obstetric, gynecologic, and general surgical patients with apparent postoperative ileus who had received an oral administration of water-soluble radiocontrast material. Forty of these patients were found to have an ileus, and seven to have a mechanical small bowel obstruction. In the 40 patients with ileus, prompt resolution of the ileus was obtained, no complications were noted, and the method provided rapid differentiation between ileus and obstruction. This modality of therapy offers an excellent alternative both therapeutically and diagnostically to the traditional treatment of ileus with intravenous fluid, nasogastric suction, and gastrointestinal rest.