[Problems in the treatment of obstructive large-bowel ileus due to tumor origin]

It is the purpose of the paper to present a comprehensive literature survey on the updated therapeutic approach to carcinoma of the colon, complicated by obturation ileus. In the past twenty years, colorectal carcinoma ranks first among malignant neoplasms, involving the gastrointestinal tract. During the period reviewed, the morbidity rate shows a nearly 4-to 5-fold increase. A rising incidence of the complicated forms of carcinoma of the colon-with obturation ileus the commonest of them-is likewise recorded. Regarding the treatment of this complication there is no agreement among surgeons in terms of the surgical tactics to be adopted and the scope of operative intervention. There is a great number of diverse problems, still not well enough clarified, relating to performance of one-or two-staged operation, removal of the tumor in the first stage and the like. The views on whether or not the operation should terminate with intestinal passage restoration in the first stage, especially in case of carcinoma located in the left half of the colon, are conflicting.