POSTOPERATIVE ILEUS

Course overview

POSTOPERATIVE ILEUS IS A PROLONGED ABSENCE OF BOWEL FUNCTION AFTER SURGICAL PROCEDURES, USUALLY ABDOMINAL SURGERY. IT IS A COMMON POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATION WITH UNCLEAR ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY. IT IS A BENIGN CONDITION THAT USUALLY RESOLVES WITH MINIMAL INTERVENTION. MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE ILEUS RELIES ON SUPPORTIVE CARE AFTER EXCLUDING MORE SERIOUS AND REVERSIBLE SURGICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS MECHANICAL OBSTRUCTION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE ILEUS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.