[Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction: Ogilvie syndrome]. / Akute Kolonpseudoobstruktion: Ogilvie-Syndrom.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is characterized by marked colonic dilatation which develops over several days. ACPO is due to a motility disorder and is not caused by colonic obstruction and occurs in patients with severe, often acute underlying diseases or postoperatively. It is associated with a 25-30% mortality overall that increases to up to 50% in patients who develop complications (e.g. colonic ischemia and perforation). The pathogenesis of the disorder has not yet been clarified and clinical symptoms and signs are relatively unspecific. In particular, ACPO has to be differentiated from colonic obstruction and toxic megacolon. For this blood tests and radiological tests are required, e.g. plain abdominal radiograph, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and water soluble contrast enema, which are also required for detection of complications. Patients with ACPO should generally receive supportive therapy for decompression of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. gastric and rectal tubes) and to minimize predisposing factors. In most uncomplicated cases this leads to resolution of colonic dilatation. Clinical and radiological controls at close intervals are required until the condition is resolved. If patients do not respond within 1-2 days or if ACPO has already reached a critical duration (>3-4 days) or extent (i.e. cecal diameter ≥12 cm), neostigmine should be administered and leads to durable success in approximately 3 out of 4 patients. Patients who are still refractory to treatment should receive endoscopic decompression. More invasive therapeutic options, such as cecostomy or (segmental) colonic resection should only be considered for patients who still do not respond to treatment or present with the abovementioned complications.

[Diagnosis and treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction]. / Diagnostik og behandling af akut colonpseudoobstruktion.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie's syndrome, is a clinical condition with acute dilatation of the colon without a provable mechanical cause. Early recognition and treatment of the condition is important in order to improve the outcome. The diagnosis is based on clinical and radiographic findings. Supportive therapy should be the initial management. If no improvement occurs after 24 hours, medical treatment with neostigmine administered i.v. is instituted and repeated if necessary. Colonoscopic decompression is the next step, but if ischaemia or perforation appear surgery should be performed.

Electroacupuncture reduces duration of postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of electroacupuncture in reducing the duration of postoperative ileus and hospital stay after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 165 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for colonic and upper rectal cancer, enrolled from October 2008 to October 2010. Patients were assigned randomly to groups that received electroacupuncture (n = 55) or sham acupuncture (n = 55), once daily from postoperative days 1-4, or no acupuncture (n = 55). The acupoints Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Hegu, and Zhigou were used. The primary outcome was time to defecation. Secondary outcomes included postoperative analgesic requirement, time to ambulation, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Patients who received electroacupuncture had a shorter time to defecation than patients who received no acupuncture (85.9 ± 36.1 vs 122.1 ± 53.5 h; P < .001) and length of hospital stay (6.5 ± 2.2 vs 8.5 ± 4.8 days; P = .007). Patients who received electroacupuncture also had a shorter time to defecation than patients who received sham acupuncture (85.9 ± 36.1 vs 107.5 ± 46.2 h; P = .007). Electroacupuncture was more effective than no or sham acupuncture in reducing postoperative analgesic requirement and time to ambulation. In multiple linear regression analysis, an absence of complications and electroacupuncture were associated with a shorter duration of postoperative ileus and hospital stay after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical trial, electroacupuncture reduced the duration of postoperative ileus, time to ambulation, and postoperative analgesic requirement, compared with no or sham acupuncture, after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00464425.

Ogilvie's syndrome-related right colon perforation after cesarean section: a case series.

The objective of this article is to discuss and report three cases of right colon perforation secondary to postcesarean Ogilvie's syndrome (OS; colonic pseudo-obstruction) requiring right hemicolectomy. We retrospectively reviewed the case notes of three patients who underwent caesarean section and postoperatively developed OS. OS is an uncommon problem in patients undergoing caesarean section. Abdominal X-ray and water-soluble contrast enema are the main diagnostic modalities. Drip-suck therapy along with endoscopic or pharmacological decompression should be performed in early stages. In a significant percentage of patients, diagnosis is delayed resulting in bowel ischemia and perforation requiring surgical resection and adding significant mortality/morbidity. We recommend our obstetric colleagues to involve surgical team in earlier stages to avoid surgery-related mortality and morbidity. We also advocate general surgeons to be aware of OS in patients after caesarean section and recommend a stepwise systematic approach toward the diagnosis and management of OS.

Adynamic ileus and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction occurring after cesarean section in patients with massive peripartum hemorrhage.

The clinical histories (including radiographs) of 4 patients who suffered from significant adynamic ileus or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction after cesarean section are presented. The main manifestations were vomiting, severe colicky pain, and abdominal distension. These can occur immediately after or within 2 days of the operation. Based on our experience, the risk factors for the development of adynamic ileus are significant peripartum hemorrhage leading to unstable hemodynamic status, severe constipation, use of meperidine for pain relief, and overt bowel manipulation. Mild enema and metoclopramide seem to be helpful in facilitating its resolution. Here, we examine how to differentiate mechanical bowel obstruction from adynamic ileus and look at how to prevent the occurrence of adynamic ileus while minimizing its severity and shortening its clinical course.

[Ogilvie's syndrome: a rare cause of the acute abdomen]. / Das Ogilvie-Syndrom: eine seltene Ursache des akuten Abdomens.

Ogilvie's syndrome (acute colonic pseudo-obstruction) is a rare clinical disease characterized by segmental distension of the proximal colon caused by a paralysis without mechanic obstruction. It may be a sequel of underlying neurological, medical or surgical disease. Risk factors are respiratory decompensation, electrolyte disturbances and different drugs. A special kind is the primary idiopathic pseudoobstruction with a high risk of perforation or necrosis. Especially elderly patients (> 70 years) with cardiovascular or neurologic diseases and accordant drugs are concerned. Clinical symptoms are progressive abdominal distension and abdominal pain like an acute abdomen. The differential diagnosis of a mechanic ileus is important for further treatment. This case report should draw attention to this rare disease.

Isquemia colónica grave: factores pronósticos y tratamiento / Grave colonic ischemia: prognostic factors and treatment

Antecedentes: Si bien la isquemia intestinal aguda representa sólo el 0,9 por ciento de los casos hospitalizados por abdomen agudo, su alta morbimortalidad convierte a esta afección en un verdadero desafío para internistas y cirujanos. Objetivos: Evaluar en forma retrospectiva nuestra casuística, analizando los principales aspectos referidos al diagnóstico, los factores predisponentes con su eventual injerencia pronóstica y el tratamiento realizado. Material y métodos: Se presentan 22 casos de isquemia colónica aguda, operados en el Servicio de Cirugía General y Coloproctología de la Clínica Modelo de Lanús entre Enero de 1995 y Diciembre de 2000. Se analizaron los factores predisponentes y la extensión de la isquemia hallada en la cirugía, como posibles factores predictivos de mortalidad. Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 78 años con un rango entre 70 y 86. La causa de la isquemia fue en diecinueve de los 22 casos atribuida a hipoflujo y en tres ocasiones a la cirugía aórtica de urgencia. El hallazgo operatorio en 8 pacientes fue isquemia total del colon (36,4 por ciento) y en 14 segmentaria (63,6 por ciento). Sólo la extensión de la necrosis presentó tendencia a la significación estadística como factor predictivo de mortalidad (p=0.192). La morbilidad fue del 72.7 por ciento y la mortalidad alcanzó el 63.6 por ciento (14 casos) como consecuencia de falla múltiple de órganos y sistemas por sepsis no controlada. Conclusiones: Se puede afirmar que el advenimiento de métodos de estudio más complejos no ha modificado la evolución natural de las isquemias colónicas graves, disminuir su alta morbimortalidad aún depende del conocimiento y la sagacidad médica.

Isquemia colónica grave: factores pronósticos y tratamiento / Grave colonic ischemia: prognostic factors and treatment

Antecedentes: Si bien la isquemia intestinal aguda representa sólo el 0,9 por ciento de los casos hospitalizados por abdomen agudo, su alta morbimortalidad convierte a esta afección en un verdadero desafío para internistas y cirujanos. Objetivos: Evaluar en forma retrospectiva nuestra casuística, analizando los principales aspectos referidos al diagnóstico, los factores predisponentes con su eventual injerencia pronóstica y el tratamiento realizado. Material y métodos: Se presentan 22 casos de isquemia colónica aguda, operados en el Servicio de Cirugía General y Coloproctología de la Clínica Modelo de Lanús entre Enero de 1995 y Diciembre de 2000. Se analizaron los factores predisponentes y la extensión de la isquemia hallada en la cirugía, como posibles factores predictivos de mortalidad. Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 78 años con un rango entre 70 y 86. La causa de la isquemia fue en diecinueve de los 22 casos atribuida a hipoflujo y en tres ocasiones a la cirugía aórtica de urgencia. El hallazgo operatorio en 8 pacientes fue isquemia total del colon (36,4 por ciento) y en 14 segmentaria (63,6 por ciento). Sólo la extensión de la necrosis presentó tendencia a la significación estadística como factor predictivo de mortalidad (p=0.192). La morbilidad fue del 72.7 por ciento y la mortalidad alcanzó el 63.6 por ciento (14 casos) como consecuencia de falla múltiple de órganos y sistemas por sepsis no controlada. Conclusiones: Se puede afirmar que el advenimiento de métodos de estudio más complejos no ha modificado la evolución natural de las isquemias colónicas graves, disminuir su alta morbimortalidad aún depende del conocimiento y la sagacidad médica. (AU)

Colonic pseudo-obstruction due to herpes zoster.

Visceral motor complications are uncommon manifestations of herpes zoster (varicella zoster). We report a 59-year-old man who developed acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, which followed the appearance of dermatomal herpes zoster.

Pseudomembranous colitis without diarrhea presenting clinically as acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Pseudomembranous colitis usually presents with diarrhea in a clinical setting of recent antibiotic use. It is uncommon to see it as a cause of obstipation and colonic pseudo-obstruction. We report an unusual case of an elderly woman with hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus, who was admitted with fever, abdominal pain, and distension without diarrhea. She presented with decreased stool frequency and obstipation. She did not respond to conservative management. Colonoscopy revealed a picture of pseudomembranous colitis, and Clostridium difficile toxin was positive. She responded well to metronidazole therapy.

Ogilvie's syndrome (colonic pseudo-obstruction) occurring in an 18-year-old Nigerian female.

Ogilvie's syndrome which is colonic obstruction without an identifiable distal mechanical cause is reported in an 18 year old female Nigerian. A high index of awareness is required to diagnose this condition.

Retrospective study of neostigmine for the treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) typically develops postoperatively or after severe illness. Studies suggest that pharmacologic manipulation with intravenous (i.v.) neostigmine (NSM) may be an effective and less invasive treatment modality for ACPO with minimal side effects. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the efficacy and incidence of complications of an i.v. NSM bolus in patients with ACPO. Eight patients with ten episodes of ACPO were treated with a bolus dose of NSM. Rapid and effective decompression of the colon was achieved in six episodes after a single dose of NSM at a mean of 22.8 +/- 13.5 minutes. In three episodes decompression occurred after a second dose of NSM at a mean of 44.7 +/- 37.7 minutes. One patient failed NSM treatment but responded to a Cystografin enema. One patient experienced significant bradycardia. NSM is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for ACPO and based on result comparison of this study and previous studies both bolus and slow infusion dosing practices of NSM are effective. The NSM bolus dosing side effect profile has been shown to include significant bradycardia, whereas when NSM was infused over one hour significant bradycardic episodes requiring treatment have not been encountered. We propose that a prospective study evaluating NSM dosing as an i.v. bolus versus an i.v. infusion would be useful in determining whether NSM infusion can be proven safer than bolus dosing for the treatment of ACPO.

Colonic spasm and pseudo-obstruction in an elongated colon secondary to physical exertion: diagnosis by stress barium enema.

Anatomic and functional abnormalities of the colon are known to cause a variety of abdominal complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, and pain. We describe a patient with dolichocolon (elongated colon) with transient spasm (pseudo-obstruction) associated with exertion. The diagnosis in this case rested with a novel approach and less invasive evaluation of the colon.

Pseudobstrucción aguda de colon (síndrome de Ogilvie) / Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie' syndrome)

Informe de tres casos y revisión de la literatura sobre el síndrome de pseudobstrucción aguda de colon. Este estudio presenta 3 casos, sexo femenino, entre 21 y 35 años, postcesarea, con signos y síntomas comunes con progresión a abdomen agudo oclusivo, entre 3 y 6 días de evolución. La condición de ausencia de causa obstructiva mecánica fue estudiada en 2 casos por colon por enema a baja presión. El tratamiento en 100 por ciento de los casos fue quirúrgico, encontrándose perforación cecal, (c1, c2, c3), de colon ascendente (c3) y de transverso (c3). La mortalidad fue del 33.33 por ciento (un caso). Se revisan los tratamientos descriptos en la literatura

Pseudobstrucción aguda de colon (síndrome de Ogilvie) / Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome)

Informe de tres casos y revisión de la literatura sobre el síndrome de pseudobstrucción aguda de colon. Este estudio presenta 3 casos, sexo femenino, entre 21 y 35 años, postcesarea, con signos y síntomas comunes con progresión a abdomen agudo oclusivo, entre 3 y 6 días de evolución. La condición de ausencia de causa obstructiva mecánica fue estudiada en 2 casos por colon por enema a baja presión. El tratamiento en 100 por ciento de los casos fue quirúrgico, encontrándose perforación cecal, (c1, c2, c3), de colon ascendente (c3) y de transverso (c3). La mortalidad fue del 33.33 por ciento (un caso). Se revisan los tratamientos descriptos en la literatura

Ogilvie's syndrome: a new approach to an old problem.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the value of intravenous neostigmine in achieving adequate colonic decompression in patients with Ogilvie's syndrome. METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken in 12 consecutive patients (median age, 60 (range, 38-98) years) with contrast enema-proven Ogilvie's syndrome (median duration, four (range, two-nine) days) RESULTS: Satisfactory clinical decompression of large bowel distention was attained in 11 patients, although one required colectomy for subsequent recurrence and ischemia. CONCLUSION: These results support the theory that many cases of Ogilvie's syndrome are the result of excessive large bowel parasympathetic suppression rather than sympathetic overactivity.