Sonographic detection of visceral adhesion in percutaneous drainage of afferent-loop small-intestine obstruction

To facilitate the percutaneous drainage of an afferent-loop small-intestine obstruction, we used sonography to detect visceral adhesions and select a safe puncture route. The portion of the small intestine that was fixed to t he anterior abdominal wall was sonographically identified by using a high-f requency transducer to locate the area of restricted visceral sliding. The needle was then inserted into the intestine. In 3 cases, we have found that this technique improves the confidence of the physicians who perform the p ercutaneous drainage and may help to minimize the risks associated with the percutaneous drainage. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.