[Decompression technique: intestinal emptying with a tube (author's transl)].

The goal of treating postoperative ileus must be decompression of the intestine in order to prevent further development of the disease. Two different methods are available: (1) closed decompression (a) by stripping the intestine orally or aborally, or (b) through an intraluminal intestinal tube, and (2) open decompression through enterotomy. Because stripping of the intestine leads to traumatization of the intestinal wall, suction through an intraluminal intestinal tube can be considered preservative. Preoperatively, the tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach and from there is directed through the pylorus and the duodenum into the upper jejunum. Decompression of the intestine with a long intestinal tube also permits prophylactic intestinal splinting and prevents additional adhesions, kinking, and resulting new ileus conditions.