[Pathophysiology and morbidity of mechanical ileus].

Bowel obstruction by adhesion and tumor is the most common cause of mechanical ileus. The major alteration of obstructed bowels is distention. Microcirculation is hampered by raising the intraluminar pressure to 30 mm Hg. The high losses of water and electrolytes are not only due to lower resorption but also to secretion of liquid caused by enterotoxin. Therefore, perioperative antibiotics are necessary in addition to other therapeutic steps like decompression, parenteral nutrition and early operative intervention.