[Colon dynamics in ileus].

All forms of ileus have one thing in common, namely a disorder of the intestinal motility, which, with increasing distension of the intestinal wall, finally leads to paralysis of the intestine. With the increase in distension mechanical and functional colon changes take place which are discussed in this study. During peristalsis the strain on the wall is directed against the intra-luminal course of pressure. In spite of the increase of the internal pressure from 5 cm H2O to 100 cm H2O, the tension of the wall remains low or even decreases (roughly 500 dyn/mm2). In ileus patients, however, the strain on the intestinal wall increases enormously (about 100000 dyn/mm2). The maximum contraction capacity of the large intestine's muscle system (50,000 dyn/mm2) is high and similar to that of the skeletal muscles.