[Transrectal endoscopic ileal decompression as treatment of small intestine pseudoobstruction. Report of a case].
BACKGROUND: Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a syndrome characterized by recurrent signs and symptoms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction or dilation without any evidence of mechanical pseudo-obstruction. Its cause is unknown, and it is associated with severe alterations of gastrointestinal motility. AIMS: To report the transendoscopic treatment in a case of intestinal pseudo-obstruction as an alternative to a poor response to medical treatment. METHODS: The diagnosis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction was made in a 34-year old male patient who had not responded to conservative treatment; therefore, a colonoscopy was performed and an ileal drainage was introduced with its distal end 50 cm beyond the ileocecal valve. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after the procedure was performed clinical and radiological improvement was evident. Such improvement was completed at 72 hours when the patient tolerated oral ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ileal drainage could be an alternative to consider in those patients that do not respond to conservative treatment.