Slovenská chirurgia 1-2/2020

Mechanical ileus

Ileus is a bowel paralysis that presents in 20 % of all the cases of acute abdomen. Mechanical ileus is caused by an obstruction of the interstinal passage. High ileus og the small bowel is caused by an obstruction localized in the stomache (e.g. Stenosis of the pyrolus) or in the upper jejunum. Obstruction in the lower part of jejunum or in ileum leads to lower ileus of the small bowel. Obstruction in colon (most frequently in descending colon or sigmoid) causes colonic ileus. Obstruction can be inherited or acquired. It can be caused by an outer mechanical blockage or the bowel passage (adhesions, hernias), intramural (tumor, hematoma, inflammation) or intraluminal problem (polyps, foreign bodies). Symptoms of ileus include vomiting, pain, constipation and distended abdomen. The basis of diagnosis consists of the patient´s history and physical examination. Imaging methods include abdominal series xrays with a finding of air-fluid levels or CT scan of abdomen and pelvis. Mechanical ileus requires an early surgical therapy.

Keywords: mechanical ileus, vomiting, stool and flatus stoping, abdominal radiograph