RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Oral water-soluble contrast (Gastrografin) for malignant bowel obstruction: open label pilot study JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO BMJ Support Palliat Care FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP bmjspcare-2021-003444 DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003444 A1 Wan Fadzrul Izuan Bin Wan Bahrum A1 Janet Hardy A1 Karyn Foster A1 Phillip Good YR 2022 UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2022/01/19/bmjspcare-2021-003444.abstract AB Objectives Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a common, challenging condition in advanced cancer. Oral water-soluble contrast medium (Gastrografin) has been used in the management of MBO without quality studies of its effectiveness and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and adverse effects of Gastrografin in patients with MBO and to assess feasibility of the study protocol.Methods A prospective, interventional, single-arm, open label study of Gastrografin across two centres. Patients with unresolved inoperable MBO after 24 hours of conservative medical management were given a single dose of 100 mL of oral Gastrografin.Results Over 33 months, 69 individual patients were screened. Of the 20 recruited, 17 completed study assessments (85%). MBO resolved in 10 of 17 patients (59%). Gastrografin passed through to the rectum in 14 patients (78%). The most common adverse effects were diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain.Conclusions Patient recruitment took longer than anticipated, but the study protocol is feasible. Gastrografin was found to be a relatively effective option for the treatment of MBO. An adeqautely powered randomised controlled trial is needed to formally assess the efficacy and safety of Gastrografin© in MBO.