Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥18 years of age recruited from UWMC * Patients presenting to surgical services through the Emergency Department, diagnosis of SBO, consulted by surgeon, and an urgent or emergency operation is deemed not necessary by surgeon. * Diagnosis of aSBO is established by; 1. CT findings consistent with diagnosis of SBO; and 2. signs and symptoms consistent with SBO; and 3. Adhesions are the likely cause of SBO (absence of incarcerated hernia, internal hernia, masses, fistula, stricture, volvulus, acute episode of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare, etc.). * Ability to provide written or electronic informed consent in English and answer teach-back questions Exclusion Criteria: * Signs and symptoms of peritonitis with emergency operation planned * Planned urgent operation within the next 12 hours * Allergy to dexamethasone * Surgery within prior 6 weeks * Unable or unwilling to return or be contacted for and/or complete research surveys * Currently incarcerated in a detention facility or in police custody (patients wearing a monitoring device can be enrolled) at baseline/screening * Individuals with latent infections who have an increased risk of infection.