Mechanical Decompression of the Intestine in Treatment of Ileus

Intestinal Obstruction Due to Intraluminal Foreign Bodies

“…Stripping or milkingout the contents of the obstructed bowel, although occasionally necessary in order to permit reposition of the intestine following accidental or intentional evisceration, is another procedure which should usually be avoided. Observations by Lawen63 and ourselves64' 65 have shown that this latter procedure causes an increase in the degree of adynamic ileus, and the shock associated with this operation is likely to lead to death due to a persistent lowering of the blood pressure. Palliative enterostomy may be the procedure of choice when it is impossible to locate the cause of the obstruction or when no more extensive procedure seems warranted.…”