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Primary intestinal pseudo-obstruction - Treatment

Alternative Names

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Acute colonic ileus; Colonic pseudo-obstruction; Idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Ogilvie's syndrome; Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Treatment:

A medication called neostigmine may be used to treat pseudo-obstruction of the large intestine.
Colonoscopy may be used to remove air from the intestine.
Fluids given through a vein (intravenous fluids) will replace fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhea.
Nasogastric suction -- a nasogastric (NG) tube is placed thru the nose into the stomach to remove air from (decompress) the bowel.
Special diets usually do not work, although vitamin B12 supplements may be used for patients with vitamin deficiency.

In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases of acute pseudo-obstruction get better in a few days with treatment. The disease may return, and can continue for many years.

Complications:

Diarrhea
Vitamin deficiencies
Weight loss

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have persistent abdominal pain or other symptoms of this disorder.

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 8/22/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Batke M, Cappell MS. Adynamic ileus and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. Med Clin North Am. 2008;92:649-670.

Talley NJ. Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, and Noncardiac Chest Pain. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 139.

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