Point-of-care procalcitonin may predict the need for surgical treatment in patients with small bowel obstruction

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. 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. 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