Point-of-care procalcitonin may predict the need for surgical treatment in patients with small bowel obstruction - 20/06/20
Abstract |
Background |
The early identification of patients with small bowel obstruction who require surgical treatment could potentially lead to improved patient outcomes. We evaluated the efficacy of point-of-care procalcitonin for predicting surgical treatment among patients with small bowel obstruction.
Methods |
This was a prospective observational study. We measured serum procalcitonin levels in patients who presented to the emergency department and were diagnosed with small bowel obstruction from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. Patients were grouped into two groups: the elevated procalcitonin and normal procalcitonin groups. Our primary outcome was surgical treatment.
Results |
A total of 53 patients with small bowel obstruction were included in the study, and 11 patients (20.8%) were treated operatively. Baseline characteristics were similar, except for age, between the elevated procalcitonin (≥0.12 ng/ml) and normal procalcitonin groups. The elevated procalcitonin level was significantly correlated with surgical treatment and hospital length of stay (p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood of procalcitonin for the former were 45.5%, 85.7%, and 5.0 respectively.
Conclusion |
The patients with small bowel obstruction who had elevated procalcitonin levels on presentation showed significantly higher rate of surgical treatment than those who had normal procalcitonin levels. Point-of-care procalcitonin might predict the need for surgical treatment in patients with small bowel obstruction and could be used as an additional diagnostic test. Further studies with more patients are needed to investigate the predictive value of point-of-care procalcitonin for surgical treatment.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | Small bowel obstruction is a common emergency condition. |
• | The decision of surgical treatment is still controversial without signs of strangulation. |
• | A biomarker which predicts the need for surgical treatment is required. |
• | A single-center, prospective observational study evaluating the point-of-care procalcitonin |
• | Our study suggests that point-of-care procalcitonin may predict the need for surgical treatment. |
Keywords : Small bowel obstruction, Procalcitonin, Point-of-care
Plan
Vol 38 - N° 5
P. 979-982 - mai 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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