Reliability of radiographic measurement of small intestinal length

Abstract

Objective: The capacity for absorption of nutrients after small intestinal resection is related to the remaining length of intestine, and short bowel syndrome has major implications. Accurate pre-operative determination of bowel length may be useful in conditions where further resection of small bowel is contemplated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of small bowel length measured by barium follow-through (BaFT) examination.

Patients and methods: Twenty-two patients underwent both intra-operative measurement of small bowel length, and BaFT examination where length was measured using an opisometer.

Results: The difference between operative and radiological measurement (mean +/- standard deviation: 15.7 +/- 16 9%) was least in those with the shorter small intestine (overall variation: r = 0.703, P < 0.01, regression coefficient: -0.118, intercept: 15.1). There was no difference in whether BaFT was performed pre or postoperatively.

Conclusion: Assessment of small bowel length by BaFT radiography is accurate, particularly in those with shorter small bowel lengths.