Introduction:

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate whether serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels predict the need for surgery and the presence of ischemia and/or necrosis (I/N) in small bowel obstruction.

Method:

Of 54 patients included, conservative management was performed in 31 (non-surgical group) and an exploratory laparotomy in 23 (surgical group). The reference value of the PCT was between 0.10 and 0.50 ng/mL.

Results:

PCT levels were higher in the surgical group (7.05 ± 7.03 ng/mL) than in the non-surgical (0.37 ± 0.63 ng/mL), and in patients with I/N (10.06 ± 7.07 ng/mL) than without I/N (1.52 ± 1.45 ng/mL). In the ROC curve, the area under the curve was 0.91 for the need for surgery and 0.93 for I/N. PCT ≥ 0.80 ng/mL had the best sensitivity and specificity for surgery and ≥ 1.95 ng/mL for I/N. PCT was also an independent predictor for these events.

Conclusions:

The levels of PCT can recognize the need for surgery and the presence of I/N in small bowel obstruction. Additional studies are needed to affirm or invalidate our findings.

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