Objective: To evaluate the clinical use of endoscopic ileus tube drainage in preoperative therapy for acute low malignant colorectal obstruction.
Methods: From Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2005, 15 cases with acute low malignant colorectal obstruction received emergency colonoscopy and endoscopic ileus tube drainage was performed. Radical resection was then performed after seven days of drainage.
Results: Endoscopic ileus tube drainage was successful in 13 cases, and failed in 2 cases because the guide wire cannot be inserted through the tumor in one case, and in the other case the tumor was located in the middle of the transverse colon so that the ileus drainage tube was not long enough. Abdominal girth decreased from (91+/- 4) cm to (82+/- 2) cm after tube drainage. The everyday drainage volume minus rinsing volume ranged from - 600 ml to 3200 ml. Abdominal X ray showed that obstruction was relieved. Intra-operative exploration revealed that colon edema was not evident, which increased resection rate.
Conclusion: Endoscopic ileus tube drainage is effective, safe and maybe the first choice of acute low malignant colorectal obstruction.