Colon decompression using an anatomically adapted, large-caliber decompression probe

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction, paralytic (e.g. postoperative or drug-induced) hyperdistension of the large bowel and colonic stenosis often require endoscopic decompression. The decompression probes currently available have the disadvantage of an insufficiently large diameter or inadequate adaptation to the given anatomic configuration of colon, or both. A new decompression probe system consisting of a guide wire, a 12-Fr polyethylene guide catheter, and a 24-Fr polyurethane decompression probe, is presented and two cases are described. The probe was tested in a pilot study in 16 patients. In all patients, implantation was successfully performed without complications. No undesired dislocation was observed. The introduction time varied between four and 16 minutes. Clinically successful decompression was achieved in 14 of the 16 patients.