[Personal experience with administration of Smektit (hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate) in the treatment of diarrhea of non-infectious origin and diarrhea after resection of the large intestine].

Smektit was used for treatment of 24 patients, incl. 10 hospitalized with diarrhoea of a non-infectious etiology (postoperative period, non-adherence to the dietetic regime). Microbiological examination involved only examination of the common flora of the large bowel. In the 10 hospitalized patients the complaints receded very rapidly, after a maximum of three days. In the remaining 14 patients who had resections on account of colorectal carcinoma the diarrhoea was in the majority due to reduction of the large bowel and thus reduction of the resorption area. The condition of ten patients became stabilized and the frequency of bowel movements decreased. In the group of four patients after subtotal colectomy only one patient improved. In three patients smektit administration had no effect. In these patients the cause of frequent bowel movements was the extensive reduction of the large bowel.