[Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon--significance of colonoscopy for diagnosis and therapy]

Abstract

Acute colonic pseudoobstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) predominantly involves elderly patients with serious underlying diseases and is defined by massive colonic distention without mechanical obstruction. Therapy of choice included surgical cecostomy with a mortality rate of over 30 percent. Fiberoptic coloscopy provides a new effective treatment modality for colonic decompression. We discuss the cases of 8 patients with Ogilvie's syndrome, who were successfully treated by colonoscopic decompression. Special guidelines for successful and safe performance of the procedure are suggested.