[Intraoperative orthograde intestinal irrigation. On a method used in colonic surgical emergencies]

With the help of intraoperative orthograde irrigation of the colon it is possible to handle emergency abdominal colectomies like elective operations of the colon. The resection of the large bowel following the intraoperative orthograde irrigation is determined by the causal malady as cancer, diverticulitis and perforation. Lymphadenectomy and colonic resection with primary anastomosis succeeded without preventative colostomy. One of the nine, mostly geriatric patients undergoing an emergency resection of the left colon or rectosigmoid died of pulmonary embolism. No typical complications as anastomotic leakage or disturbance of wound healing ensued, common morbidity came to four of the nine patients. For the intraoperative orthograde irrigation of the colon accurate surgical engineering and tactics are absolutely necessary as described. It is possible to renounce the radical colectomy, colostomy and staged procedures in the treatment of emergency colon resection.