Oral beetroot juice as a visual gastrointestinal (GI) leak monitor: A frugal bedside adjunct for unstable patients

Abstract

Oral Beetroot juice instillation is a simple, low-cost bedside adjunct for detecting postoperative gastrointestinal leaks in resource-limited settings. In patients too unstable for surgery, it provided a visual indicator of leak status and supported surgical decision-making in resource-limited settings. This frugal innovation may bridge a critical diagnostic gap where advanced imaging is unavailable or unsafe.