ABSTRACT
Postoperative ileus (POI) is defined as an impairment of gastrointestinal mobility after abdominal or other surgery, and is characterized by abdominal distension, lack of bowel sounds, accumulation of gas and fluids in the bowel, and delayed passage of flatus and defecation.1 Bowel dysfunction postoperatively is often regarded as a normal and inevitable response to laparotomy and other surgical procedures.2 This is generally accepted to last three to five days postoperatively and is followed by the passage of flatus marking the resumption of peristalsis. Postoperative ileus is a self-limiting functional motility disorder, and is distinguished from mechanical bowel obstruction. Recovery from ileus occurs in a stepwise manner: initial small intestinal motor activity, then gastric motor activity, followed by resumption of colonic motor activity (three to five days).3
