[Observations in postoperative ileus]

In the last ten years it was necessary to perform a relaparotomy in 615 cases = 4.93% of 12,464 primary abdominal operations. 215 patients suffered from a mechanical ileus. In analysing 305 cases of the last 5 years it was to discover that of 138 patients the diagnosis mechanical ileus was correct in 102 cases only. In doubtful cases it is therefore advisable to use a water-soluble contrast medium in order to decide for or against surgery. Last but not least the frequency of relaparotomies is clearly dependent on the abilities of the surgeon. In proving this question there were surgeons with 1.2% relaparotomies and others with 18.1%.