OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of somatostatin combined with oral vancomycin in the treatment of intestinal obstruction after liver transplantation.

METHODSFifty-eight cases of intestinal obstruction after liver transplantation from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2006 were divided into two groups: Group A (from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2005) received traditional treatment, including fasting,gastrointestinal decompression, maintaining electrolyte and acid-base balance, enteral and parenteral nutrition support and antibiotics; Group B (from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2006) received somatostatin combined oral vancomycin in addition to the above mentioned traditional treatment.

RESULTSFifty-eight cases out of 441 patients (13%) suffered from intestinal obstruction after liver transplantation. Group B had a better outcome as compared with Group A, including a quick recovery of flatus and stool, [(7.1+/-2.0) d and (8.4+/-2.4) d vs (9.1+/-3.0) d and (10.8+/-3.4) d] (P<0.05), less amount of gastric drainage [(298+/-58) ml/d vs (485+/-106) ml/d](P<0.05). The rate of intestinal flora imbalance in Group B was 55%, which was significantly less than the 77% in Group A(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of somatostatin combined with oral vancomycin can improve the symptoms of intestinal obstruction after liver transplantation and decrease the rate of intestinal flora imbalance.