POCUS for Small Bowel Obstruction in the ED: a Retrospective Study (SBOCUS)

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Small Bowel Obstruction; Point of Care Ultrasound

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05864378

SBOCUS2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study protocol aims to evaluate the impact of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) on the diagnosis and management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) in the emergency department (ED). SBO is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Currently, the diagnosis of SBO is based on clinical evaluation and imaging tests, including plain abdominal radiography and computed tomography (CT) scan. POCUS is a bedside imaging technique that is rapid, non-invasive, repeatable, cost-effective and radiation-free, and can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and management of SBO. The primary objective of this study is to compare the time to diagnosis of SBO between patients who undergo POCUS intestinal loops examination and those who do not undergo POCUS in the ED. The secondary objectives include comparing the hospital length of stay, the rate of surgical intervention, the rate of complications, and the mortality rate between the two groups. This is a monocentric retrospective cohort study that will include all adult patients (> 18 years old) who presented to the ED with suspected SBO. The study population will be divided into two groups: the POCUS group and the non-POCUS group. The sample size calculation will be based on the assumption of a 30% reduction in the time to diagnosis of SBO in the POCUS group compared to the non-POCUS group, with a power of 80%. The results of this study may provide more robust evidence on the diagnostic accuracy and impact of POCUS for SBO in the ED.

Enrollment: 230 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 18 years old
• Clinical suspicion of SBO based on history and physical examination
• Plain abdominal radiography (AXR) or CT scan performed in the ED

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Known bowel obstruction
• Previous abdominal surgery within 30 days
• Refusal or inability to consent

Trial design

230 participants in 2 patient groups

The POCUS group

Description:

Patients who were evaluated by ED physicians who perform POCUS intestinal loops examination as part of their clinical practice

The non-POCUS group

Description:

Patients who were evaluated by ED physicians who do not perform POCUS intestinal loops examination for any reason