Aim: Assessment of the diagnostic and therapeutic effects of gastrografin in adhesive intestinal obstruction 
(AIO).
Methods: Eighty patients with AIO were randomized into control and gastrografin groups. In the 
gastrografin group, 100mL of the dye was administered through a nasogastric tube. Obstruction was 
considered complete if the contrast failed to reach the colon on the 24hours X ray film and surgery was 
done. If contrast reached the colon on 24 hours obstruction was considered partial where conservative 
treatment was continued.
Results: The overall operative rate was 15% in gastrografin group versus 35% in control group, 
P= 0.039. The time from admission to resolution of symptoms was significantly lower in gastrografin group 
(23.2 vs.32.1hours; P= 0.004), and the length of hospital stay was shorter in gastrografin group (3.5 
vs.4.3days; P = 0.003). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for 
gastrografin follow-through as an indicator for operative treatment of adhesive intestinal obstruction were 
83%, 100%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. 
Conclusions: Oral gastrografin is safe and reduces the operative rate and time of resolution as well as 
hospital stay.