Long-tube gastrostomy with internal intestinal splinting: ten-year experience.

Long-tube bowel splinting at operation, with use of a gastrostomy for introduction of the tube, has many advantages in varying conditions. Results are evaluated in 79 patients undergoing operations, over a 10-year period, for first or recurrent intestinal adhesive obstruction, complicated Crohn's disease, peritonitis, ventral hernia repair, ileostomy, radiation enteritis, etc. Technique and complications are reviewed. Advantages of a recently-developed bi-lumen tube over a single-lumen tube are discussed.