Detection of colon distension in colonostomy patients.

Inborn and learned ability to detect mild, nonpainful distension of the sygmoid colon was examined in 22 patients who underwent colonostomy one year or more before the investigation. The colon was distended by a balloon inserted 10 cm below the orifice of the artificial anus. Each subject participated in three sessions on three consecutive weeks with several experimental tasks in each session.