title: [Acute colectasia in patients on artificial respiration. 10 cases].
abstract: Acute colectasia may occur in patients under mechanical ventilation. Causative factors include haemodynamic changes, potassium loss, underlying pathology (chronic respiratory failure, cirrhosis) and especially morphine-like compounds used for sedation. Analysis of the results obtained with various treatments suggests that surgery is not justified: caecal perforation is extremely rare in a previous healthy colon; any surgical procedure is hazardous in this type of patient, and colectasia frequently regresses under appropriate medical treatment, even though mechanical ventilation is pursued.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*
vernacular_title: Colectasie aiguë chez les malades sous ventilation artificielle. Dix observations.