Colonoscopic decompression of massive nonobstructive cecal dilation.

During the past three years, six patients with massive nonobstructive cecal dilation were treated by the surgical endoscopy service at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Case reports are presented on the five patients for whom decompression of the colon distention using the flexible fiberoptic colonoscope was successful. The sixth patient for whom nonoperative decompression was unsuccessful died following tube cecostomy. Colonoscopy, in our hands, has been a safe and effective method of nonoperatively decompressing the dilated cecum in seriously ill patients with a variety of severe associated conditions.