Rapid intubation of the ileo-colonic region of man.

The relative inaccessibility of the ileo-cecal region of man has restricted study of, and limited the information available on, normal functions of this region. Intubation of the distal bowel from above may be slow, even in the presence of normal patterns of motility in the stomach and small intestine. This report documents that addition of a small balloon at the "lead-point" of the tube alters motor patterns and allows rapid transit to the colon.