Complications and results of 160 Baker tube plications.

The basic indication for Baker tube plication is widespread enteric serosal injury. The prediction of subsequent small bowel obstruction remains difficult. Consequently, the benefits of Baker tube plication cannot be clearly defined. A therapeutic decision must be made by weighing the known facts. In this series of 160 Baker tube plications, the incidence of tube complications was 7 percent. Witzel tunnel construction of the jejunostomy was judged important in reducing the complications of this procedure. The incidence of recurrent obstruction was 9 percent with an average follow-up period of 3.9 years.