[Operative therapy of small intestine ileus with special reference to patients with advanced tumor disease]

Between 1979 and 1984 a total of 233 patients underwent surgical treatment of small bowel obstruction. In 43 patients (18.4%) the obstruction was caused by an advanced tumor disease (peritoneal carcinosis, local recurrence). In patients with benign obstruction the operative mortality was 5.2%; in the tumor patients it was 14%. Wound infection and cardio-pulmonary disturbances were the most frequent complications. The mean survival time of the tumor patients was 159 days. In 65% of these patients the operation had a significant palliative effect.