BACKGROUND: In this study we present our experience with intraoperative colon preparation when treating patients bearing left colon neoplasic obstruction. METHOD: Twenty-three patients with left colon neoplasic obstruction were operated in the School Hospital of the ABC Medical College and Hospital São Bernardo from 1992 to 1999. The intraoperative bowel preparation and the primary bowel anastomosis was performed in all patients. RESULTS: In all patients the bowel preparation was adequate and the primary bowel anastomosis was performed in satisfactory conditions. One of the patients (4,3%) presented a bloked leak and another (4,3%) had bronchial pneumonia. Both responded well to clinical treatment and it was considered that these complications were not related to the bowel preparation procedures. None of the other patients presented complications, with a mean hospital stay of 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that intraoperative bowel preparation is simple, safe and allows immediate reconstruction of the intestinal transit.
Intraoperative bowel preparation; Intestinal obstruction
