[Oxygen supply of the human small intestine in mechanical ileus]

In 16 patients operated on for mechanically caused ileus and in 12 control patients (cholecystectomy) local PO2 of the small bower wall was determined by means of a multiwire Pt surface electrode constructed by Kessler and Lübbers. The ileus patients showed an increased pulse rate of 110 (90-115) vs 90 (80-110) beats/min and creatinine levels of 1.06 (0.79-1.45) vs 0.80 (0.70-0.88) mg%. (mean, 1.-3. quartile, P less than 0.05). Local PO2 values of the serosal site of the small bowel were significantly reduced in patients with ileus compared to the control group [22.5 (12.5-35) vvs 61.2 (53.0-71.0) torr.] Hypoxia of the bower in mechanically caused ileus could be demonstrated by local PO2 determination and underlines the demand of early decompression.