[Closed intestinal decompression in postoperative paralysis: intestinal intubation (author's transl)].

Paralytic distension is a causative or important factor in the pathogenesis of early postoperative intestinal obstruction. The elimination of intestinal distension initiates a decisive change in the course of this disease. The long intestinal tube--comparable to an "intraluminary stoma"--renders the necessary intestinal decompression. The controlled placement of the tube using a gastroscope rules out technical problems. The procedure is highly effective, contributes to the reduction of relaparotomies, and avoids enterotomies with all their inherent risks in the state of ileus.