Colonic pseudo-obstruction: decompression with a tricomponent coaxial system under fluoroscopic guidance.

A tricomponent coaxial system (TAS) suitable for colonic decompression with fluoroscopic guidance is described. The TAS was successfully used in four of four patients, two with acute pseudo-obstruction, one with sigmoid volvulus, and one with recurrent colonic pseudo-obstruction. All patients had acute abdominal distention with cecal diameter of at least 12 cm, and nonsurgical management was unsuccessful. Complete colonic decompression was observed in all four patients, with no recurrence in three of three patients after removal of the decompression catheter. The decompression catheter was left in place in one patient for her comfort until she died of hepatic failure 4 days later. There was no associated colonic bleeding or perforation in any of the four cases. The procedure lasted approximately 20-90 minutes. The TAS promises to be a useful and inexpensive tool with which to perform colonic decompression in selected patients.