Results of postoperative treatment of ileus in infants and children by means of gastrocecal tube splinting of the intestine.

Since 1966, gastrocecal tube splinting of the small intestine has been used in 77 instances of postoperative ileus, the over-all mortality being 5.2 per cent. Six to seven patients in whom the operation had been performed at least one year ago, a mean value of 3.5 years, had follow-up examinations. One child had a recurrence of ileus, and in one patient, postoperative invagination was observed. Seventy per cent of the children having follow-up examinations were completely asymptomatic, 24 per cent had slight complaints and 6 per cent did not respond. The method described can, therefore, be recommended for the prevention and therapy of postoperative ileus, provided these contraindications are observed: severe disturbances of intestinal circulation; enterocolitis and ulcerations of intestinal mucosa; meconium ileus, in primary operations, and gastroschisis, in primary operations.