Diagnostics | Postoperative bowel atony

Diagnostics

Whether the patient has a postoperative intestinal atony can usually be determined by a simple questioning of the patient. The diagnosis of a postoperative intestinal atony is obvious if the patient states the typical symptoms after surgery, such as abdominal pain, stool retention and nausea. By palpation and listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope, the suspicion of postoperative intestinal atony can be confirmed.

If the patient has postoperative intestinal atony, it is very likely that the patient will report pain on palpation. When listening, the physician may notice that the typical noises that occur when the bowel is regularly tensed and relaxed are missing. Furthermore, postoperative intestinal atony can be verified by means of an X-ray overview of the abdomen and an ultrasound examination of the abdomen.

Therapy

In postoperative intestinal atony, various treatment measures can be considered. The common goal of all these measures is to restore normal control of the intestinal muscles by the intestinal nervous system. As a rule, postoperative intestinal atony is treated conservatively.

An important measure is temporary food abstinence, i.e. the complete renunciation of food intake until the intestinal activity has returned to normal. This is intended to prevent additional strain on the bowel and to prevent vomiting. Once the activity of the bowel has returned to normal, a cautious dietary regimen can be started.

Enema and warm and humid compresses, which are also used in postoperative intestinal atony, also stimulate the function of the intestine.Furthermore, drugs play a role in the treatment of postoperative intestinal atony. For example, drugs from the group of so-called parasympathomimetics are used. Parasympathomimetics stimulate the activity of the intestine.

Other drugs include metoclopramide, a so-called dopamine receptor antagonist, which accelerates gastric emptying. Laxatives are also used. Surgical treatment is usually not necessary. However, the complications of postoperative intestinal atony, such as complete intestinal obstruction or peritonitis, are emergencies that require immediate surgery.

Prognosis

Once intestinal function returns to normal after postoperative intestinal atony, no further treatment is required. Normal intestinal function is usually completely restored after a few hours to several days.