[Adhesive prophylaxis: Noble's intestine plication (author's transl)].

By chronic recidivating ileus with massive extensive adhesions, small intestine plications according to Noble or Childs and Philipps, respectively, have stood the test of time. In view of the total lethality rate of 5%, no plication should be attempted for acute ileus syndrome or for local or diffuse peritonitis. Serious complications include fistulization, intestinal perforation, recurring ileus, and peritonitis. Prophylactic plication is not recommended. The cases treated by the surgical department of the university clinic in Mainz, which include a total of 233 laparotomies for chronic adhesions of the ileus, reflect strict adherence to indications for small intestine plication. Among our own cases, we had no postoperative lethality.