Intestinal paralysis

Description

Paralytic Ileus or intestinal paralysis.Temporary paralysis of the part of the intestines after abdominal surgical intervention. The syndrome causes constipation, abdominal fullness, and sometimes vomiting. Usually resolves on its own but may interfere eating several days after the surgery.

Symptoms

Absence of bowel sounds, full stomach, stomach full with gases, pain and abdominal cramps, vomiting, inability to pass gases or stool (opstipation), diarrhea.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. Diagnosis is usually obvious immediately after the surgery. Abdominal X-rays may be done to confirm the disorder.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan, lipase, analysis of urine and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Barium enema, upper digestive tract imaging.

Specialists

Gastroenterology

Therapy

Nasogastric tube (NS) from the nose to the stomach may relieve the nausea. This problem almost always resolves on its own after several days.