gastrointestinal disorders
Ileus
Etiology of Ileus
The most common cause of ileus is Abdominal surgery Other causes include Intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal inflammation (eg, Appendicitis , Retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal hematomas (eg, from ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) , Metabolic disturbances (eg, Hypokalemia ) Medications (eg, opioids, anticholinergics, sometimes calcium channel blockers) Sometimes renal or thoracic disease (eg, Rib Fracture , Gastric and colonic motility disturbances after abdominal surgery are common. The small bowel is typically least affected, with motility and absorption returning to normal within hours after surgery. Stomach emptying is usually impaired for about 24 hours or more. The colon is often most affected and may remain inactive for 48 to 72 hours or more. 