How can we predicts bowel ischemia in SBO?

What is it about?

High levels of cell-free DNA in patients with ischemic or necrotic bowel supports our hypothesis that cell-free DNA is released into the bloodstream following bowel ischemia/necrosis.

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Why is it important?

SBO is a frequent and sometimes lethal acute care surgical disease. Thus, ways to predict bowel ischemia and take these patients as soon as possible to the OR is crucial. Our study has shown that the association of cell-free DNA with small bowel obstruction, ischemia and recovery supports our hypothesis and suggests that this biomarker is a surrogate of small bowel perfusion. Surgeons currently rely on imprecise clinical parameters including amongst them degree of pain, abdominal tenderness, leukocytosis etc. to decide when surgery is needed. Adding cell-free DNA as part of the diagnostic algorithm may help surgeons decide who needs operative intervention.

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