Ileus

Excerpt

Ileus, also known as paralytic ileus or functional ileus, occurs when there is a non-mechanical decrease or stoppage of the flow of intestinal contents. Bowel obstruction is a mechanical blockage of intestinal contents by a mass, adhesion, hernia, or some other physical blockage. These two diseases may present similarly, but treatment can be very different depending on the underlying pathology.

Ileus is an often unavoidable consequence of abdominal or retroperitoneal surgery, but can also be found in severely ill patients with septic shock or mechanical ventilation. Due to the delayed refeeding syndrome seen after an ileus, postoperative ileus has a large economic impact in the United States alone. An ileus usually manifests itself from the third to the fifth day after surgery and usually lasts 2 to 3 days with the small bowel being the quickest to return to function (0 to 24 hours), followed by the stomach (24 to 48 hours), and lastly the colon (48 to 72 hours). A prolonged ileus is diagnosed if the ileus exceeds 2 to 3 days with the continued absence of obstruction signs.