[Experiences with intraluminal small intestinal intubation].

Seventy-six patients were treated for postoperative ileus of the small intestine, between 1983 and 1987. Forty-four of them received intraluminal intestinal intubation, with indications being established by stringent criteria. One case of recurrent ileus was recorded eight weeks after removal of the Miller-Abbott tube, but no tube-related lethality was observed. The average age of our patients was as low as 49 years. Post-operative lethality amounted to 21.2 percent (eight in 44). Ileus was not removed until death in three cases. Intraluminal intestinal intubation may be recommended after long-distance lysis of adhesions for postoperative ileus of the small intestine as well as in cases of severe ileus in concomitance with controllable peritonitis.