Objective To explore the clinical effects of ileus tube in treatment of colonic obstruction caused by colorectal carcinoma. Methods Thirtytwo colorectal carcinoma patients with colonic obstruction admitted to our hospital from December 2005 to December 2008 were given onestage radical excision and anastomosis after transnasal or transanal placement of ileus tube for colonic decompression and drainage. Results Combined placement of transnasal and transanal ileus tube was successfully carried out in 19 cases, while the other 13 cases were treated only with transnasal ileus tube. Abdominal pain and distention of all cases were relieved 12-36 h after tube placement, while those of 26 cases disappeared 48-96 h later. Compared with before tube placement, abdominal circumferences of all cases were significantly reduced after tube placement, the mean reduction rate was (81.3±19.6)% vs. 100% (t=3.586, P=0.02). All cases were successfully treated by onestage radical excision and anastomosis 5-7 d after placement, and no serious complications such as peritoneal infection, anastomotic leakage etc. were found. Conclusion Preoperative intubation of ileus tube can enhance the therapeutic effects of onestage radical excision and anastomosis in patients with colorectal carcinoma combined with colonic obstruction.