gms | German Medical Science

Background: The ileus is often the sign of an advanced stage of malicious illnesses that require palliative treatment. Medicine and especially palliative medicine has changed medical treatment in the way that it now aims at an improvement of life quality. Method: In our hospital 104 cases with 87 patients were analysed. These patients suffered from ileus in connection with an advanced malicious illness.

Results: An ileus was localised with 78 patients in the field of the small intestine and with 26 patients in the field of colon. 37 cases were treated in a conservative way, 67 cases required operative treatment. Primary tumors were found predominantly in the colon and also in the feminine genitals as well as in the stomach. On average the remaining life time was two months. 45% of the patients with ileus in the field of the small intestine were treated without operation.

Conclusions: The life time of patients with ileus and advanced malicious illness is short. Operations with high risk should be avoided. Patients with ileus in the field of the small intestine should be given conservative treatment which in case of failing may be converted into interventional or operative treatment. Operation can hardly be avoided with patients with ileus in the field of colon. If available, interventional therapy for the removal of stomach and intestine contents should be applied. The patient’s wish is to be considered. Treatment should aim at improving the patient’s life quality.