[Contamination of the small intestine as a cause for ileus attacks in children after intestinal surgery].

During the last two years eight children aged 3 months to 7 years were treated successfully for contaminated small bowel syndrome (CSBS). All patients had a history of a laparotomy in the neonatal period and showed bile stained vomiting and diarrhoea. On examination, a painful distended abdomen with hyperactive bowel sounds was found. Plain abdominal x-rays showed signs of mechanical intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis of CSBS was made by positive gram stain and cultures of samples taken via a nasogastric tube. After antibiotic treatment the symptoms disappeared within a few days. We therefore believe that CSBS should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal emergencies. Our views agree with those of other authors in so far as we feel that antibiotic therapy may help to avoid unnecessary laparotomies in such cases.