Percutaneous decompression and irrigation for large bowel obstruction. New approach.

This investigation introduces percutaneous decompression and irrigation of the obstructed large bowel as a simple and safe procedure that can be undertaken for the emergency situation. This procedure was performed in 28 patients who presented with colonic obstruction caused by sigmoidal or rectosigmoidal carcinoma without any complications. It allowed patients to be properly prepared and investigated and then to receive definitive colonic surgery 36-48 hours after the decompression. Therefore, it is concluded that percutaneous decompression and irrigation can on one hand defer emergency surgery for colonic obstruction and on the other hand enable a one-stage definitive procedure to be undertaken during the same admission.