Enteroclysis in partial small bowel obstruction.

In a 5 year period, 56 patients with suspected partial small bowel obstruction were evaluated by enteroclysis or the antegrade small bowel enema. Mechanical partial obstruction was diagnosed by enteroclysis in 38 of the patients, 24 of whom required surgery. The diagnosis by enteroclysis was confirmed in 23 of the patients. In the single patient with "false-positive" enteroclysis, the obstruction had been interpreted as minimal. The thirteen remaining patients were managed conservatively. The possibility of significant mechanical obstruction was excluded by enteroclysis in 19 patients. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Enteroclysis is a safe, rapid, and accurate method for the evaluation of patients with partial small bowel obstruction.