Paralytic Ileus
Paralytic Ileus - Related Videos
04:26
Postoperative Ileus Murine Model
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Cited by 4 •
2024
We describe a murine model of postoperative ileus generated via intestinal manipulation. Gastrointestinal transit function, pathologic changes, and immune cell activation were assessed 24 h after surgery.
07:56
Abdominal Exam I: Inspection and Auscultation
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2023
Source: Alexander Goldfarb, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, MA Gastrointestinal disease accounts for millions of office visits and hospital admissions annually. Physical examination of the abdomen is a crucial tool in diagnosing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; in addition, it can help identify pathological processes in cardiovascular, urinary, and other systems. As physical examination in general, the examination of the abdominal region is...
09:44
Functional Assessment of Intestinal Motility and Gut Wall Inflammation in Rodents: Analyses in a Standardized Model of Intestinal Manipulation
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Cited by 32 •
2012
Postoperative ileus (POI) is a complication of abdominal surgery leading to increased morbidity and a prolonged hospital stay. Because prophylactic or therapeutic strategies are lacking intensified research is necessary. Therefore we established a standardized and feasible mouse model to investigate the pathophysiology of POI and to study potential therapeutic options.
07:31
Using an Adapted Microfluidic Olfactory Chip for the Imaging of Neuronal Activity in Response to Pheromones in Male C. Elegans Head Neurons
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Cited by 20 •
2017
The use of an adapted "olfactory chip" for the efficient calcium imaging of C. elegans males is described here. Studies of male exposure to glycerol and a pheromone are also shown.
08:38
Overcoming Unresponsiveness in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Resistant Mouse Strains by Adoptive Transfer and Antigenic Challenge
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Cited by 1 •
2012
Certain mouse strains are able to resist induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with myelin basic protein. Described here is a simple immunization protocol that reverses the unresponsiveness and induces paralytic disease in several typical EAE resistant mouse stains.
FAQs
Coordinated intestinal movement depends on communication between the enteric nervous system, autonomic pathways, and intestinal smooth muscle. When these signals become impaired, contractions may lose their normal strength or coordination, so contents are not propelled effectively. This mechanism explains why inflammation, infection, metabolic disturbances, surgery, and medications can produce similar motility problems through different initiating factors.
The key distinction is the source of impaired transit. In paralytic ileus, intestinal contents fail to move because coordinated smooth-muscle activity has slowed or stopped, while the overview describes mechanical obstruction as a separate physical-blockage process. This distinction matters because abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and related findings must be interpreted in the context of the underlying mechanism.
Several influences can suppress normal motility, including abdominal surgery, inflammation, infection, metabolic disturbances, and medications such as opioids. These factors do not necessarily act in the same way, but each can interfere with enteric or autonomic signaling and reduce coordinated smooth-muscle contractions. Identifying the relevant trigger helps direct attention toward correcting the underlying disturbance rather than treating symptoms alone.
When intestinal propulsion becomes markedly reduced, gas and fluid remain within the gastrointestinal tract instead of moving normally. Their accumulation contributes to abdominal distension and can accompany pain, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds. The resulting fluid loss and inability to maintain normal intestinal transit also explain why monitoring for dehydration and worsening complications is clinically important.
Evaluation should distinguish impaired motility from a physical blockage while considering the patient’s symptoms and likely cause. Abdominal distension, pain, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds provide important clinical context, but they do not identify the initiating disturbance by themselves. Reviewing recent surgery, inflammation, infection, metabolic problems, and opioid exposure can help organize the assessment.
Management centers on identifying and correcting the underlying disturbance that has impaired intestinal motility. Relevant contributors may include postoperative changes, inflammation, infection, metabolic abnormalities, or opioid exposure. Supporting normal fluid balance is also important because retained contents and vomiting can promote dehydration. These measures aim to reduce complications while intestinal movement recovers.
This condition illustrates how organ function depends on coordinated signaling between the nervous system and smooth muscle. In medicine, it provides a practical example of functional intestinal failure that must be separated from mechanical obstruction. Understanding that relationship helps clinicians interpret absent bowel sounds and abdominal distension, identify contributing disturbances, and anticipate risks associated with prolonged fluid and gas accumulation.
Delayed recognition can allow gas and fluid accumulation to persist, increasing the risk of dehydration and, in severe circumstances, bowel perforation. Symptoms such as distension, pain, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds therefore require attention to both intestinal motility and the underlying cause. Early recognition supports correction of contributing problems and helps reduce the chance of progression to serious complications.