Ileus

Background

• Failure or insufficiency in the peristalsis movement of the gastrointestinal tract which normally moves GI contents from mouth to anus.
• Thought to be caused by a disruption in either the neural and/or neuro-hormonal reflexes that normally regulate bowel motility.
• Multiple causes possible - likely an inflammatory condition
  • Opioid-induced
  • Post-operative (irritation +/- opioids)
  • Electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia)
  • Colonic pseudo-obstruction (aka Ogilvie's syndrome)
  • Gallstone ileus, pancreatitis
• Peritonitis (e.g. from infection, malignancy, trauma)
  • Burns, acute radiation syndrome
  • Spastic ileus (rare: porphyria or lead poisoning)

Clinical Features

• Abdominal pain/distension
• Nausea/vomiting
• Constipation