[Relaparotomy after operations on the rectum and colon]

During 15 years 1663 intraabdominal operations on the rectum and colon were performed, relaparotomy resulting from the complications was fulfilled in 134 patients (8%). The main indication for relaparotomy was peritonitis (57 patients). Its sources were: incompetence of the colonic anastomosis suture, technical errors during the first operation, opening of the abscess into the abdominal cavity. Five types of the course of postoperative peritonitis were established: primary, atypical, artificial, perforative and necrotic types.