Small-intestinal obstruction following resection for carcinoma of the rectum.

The incidence of small-intestinal obstruction requiring surgical relief following resection for a single carcinoma of the rectum in 1061 patients is reviewed. Forty-eight patients (4.7%) required surgical relief. There were no postoperative deaths. In 18 patients small-intestinal obstruction occurred within the first six weeks of resection. Each obstruction was related to postoperative complications, especially intraabdominal sepsis. In 30 patients the obstruction developed after this period and was due to bands and/or adhesions. The majority occurred within the first two years. The incidence of intestinal obstruction was similar after both curative and palliative resection. Extensive pelvic dissection did not influence the incidence. The paracolostomy lateral space was not closed in patients treated by abdominoperineal excision. There was no incidence of paracolostomy obstruction.