Rare cause of ileus in the mesenteric cavity of terminal ileum: a report of three cases. (25/151)

Internal herniation is one of the rare reasons of intestine clog, which is hard to diagnose and usually needs an urgent surgical treatment. We report 3 patients with internal herniation in the mesenteric cavity of the terminal ileum. Besides intestinal congestion, they also had peritoneal irritation. Laparotomy revealed that herniation caused disorder in nutrition of the intestine and necrosis. The patients underwent subtotal small intestine resection and were discharged 10, 12 and 14 d after operation.  (+info)

Lymphoid follicles of the ileal Peyer's patch of lambs express low levels of PrP, as demonstrated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR on microdissected tissue compartments, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. (26/151)

The expression level of normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is thought to influence the transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) from the peripheral entry site to the site of pathological changes in the central nervous system. In many TSEs, the clinical disease is preceded by a period in which the agent accumulates in lymphoid organs, particularly in association with follicular dendritic cells of lymphoid follicles. As the probable route of entry of the TSE agent is via the gut, the expression profile of PrP was examined in well-developed gut-associated lymphoid tissue of lambs, the ileal Peyer's patch, by laser microdissection and real-time RT-PCR. Lymphoid follicles were found to have very low levels of expression, whilst highest levels were detected in the outer submucosa and the muscular layer. These findings were supported by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, which showed specific labelling in nerve cells in ganglia of the submucosal (Meissner's) and myenteric (Auerbach's) plexi of the enteric nervous system. Based on the assumption that potential sites for conversion to the scrapie-related prion protein (PrP(Sc)) should display high levels of expression of PrP(C), this study suggests that the accumulation of PrP(Sc) in the lymphoid follicles of the Peyer's patch is not preceded by PrP conversion in the same tissue compartment.  (+info)

Meta-analysis: Alvimopan vs. placebo in the treatment of post-operative ileus. (27/151)

BACKGROUND: Alvimopan is a selective, competitive mu-opioid receptor antagonist with limited oral bioavailability which may be used to reduce length of post-operative ileus. AIM: The study compared alvimopan with placebo following bowel resection or total abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: A meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials published between 2001 and 2006 of alvimopan vs. placebo was performed. The primary efficacy end-points were composite measures of passage of flatus, stool, and tolerance of solid food (GI-3) and passage of stool and tolerance of solid food (GI-2). The incidence of treatment emergent adverse events was assessed. RESULTS: Five trials matched the selection criteria, reporting on 2195 patients. A total of 1521 (69.3%) had alvimopan and 674 (30.7%) placebo. GI-3 significantly improved (hazard ratio 1.30; 95% confidence intervals 1.16, 1.45, P < 0.001), as did GI-2 (hazard ratio 1.61; 95% confidence intervals 1.26, 2.05, P < 0.001) on alvimopan 12 mg. Time to discharge (hazard ratio 1.26; 95% confidence intervals 1.13, 1.40, P < 0.001), time to bowel motion (hazard ratio 1.74; 95% confidence intervals 1.29, 2.35, P < 0.001), and time to solid food (hazard ratio 1.14; 95% confidence intervals 1.01, 1.30, P < 0.04) also improved significantly. No difference was noted in the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Alvimopan showed significant advantages over placebo in restoring gastro-intestinal function, and reduced time to discharge following major abdominal surgery, with acceptable side effects.  (+info)

A randomised controlled trial on beneficial effects of early feeding post-Caesarean delivery under regional anaesthesia. (28/151)

INTRODUCTION: We prospectively investigated the incidence of ileus, nausea/vomiting, and hospital course of non-labouring women fed immediately after Caesarean delivery under regional anaesthesia. METHODS: 196 patients were randomised into either the early-fed group (250 ml clear fruit juice 30 minutes postoperatively, and unlimited solid food thereafter) or the control group (clear feeds allowed after two hours, advanced to solids as tolerated). RESULTS: Both groups had similar baseline demographics and operative characteristics. Bowel sounds were present immediately postoperatively in 90.8 percent (early group) versus 95.9 percent (control). The early-fed group had reduced time to first drink (0.86 +/- 0.6 hours versus 14.4 +/- 18.2 hours) and solid food intake (4.2 +/- 2.7 hours versus 20.0 +/- 6.8 hours), earlier passage of flatus (14.4 +/- 9.4 hours versus 21.0 +/- 10.4 hours) and first stool (44.4 +/- 18.7 hours versus 65.6 +/- 25.4 hours), shorter duration of intravenous hydration (12.8 +/- 7.5 hours versus 22.4 +/- 5.8 hours), and earlier removal of intravenous cannulae (20.5 +/- 6.7 hours versus 24.7 +/- 7.8 hours), with all p-values less than 0.001. Early-fed mothers also mobilised (23.1 +/- 6.8 hours versus 27.4 +/- 7.6 hours), commenced breastfeeding (26.5 +/- 14.1 hours versus 38.8 +/- 21.8 hours), and were ready for discharge earlier (44.3 +/- 10.4 hours versus 62.0 +/- 12.7 hours), compared to the control group, with all p-values less than 0.001. There was no difference in mild ileus symptoms (3.1 percent). Earlier solid intake resulted in more nausea (10.2 percent versus 2 percent, p-value is 0.033), which was self-limiting. Maternal satisfaction rated higher in the early-fed group (90 versus 60, on visual analogue scale score 0-100, p-value is less than 0.001). CONCLUSION: This prospective randomised trial showed no increase in ileus with early feeding post-Caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia, with added benefits of earlier intravenous cannulae removal, ambulation, breastfeeding initiation and potential for shorter hospitalisation. Despite increased nausea in those taking solids earlier (but not feeds), maternal satisfaction rated higher in the early-fed group.  (+info)

Altered inflammatory gene expression underlies increased susceptibility to murine postoperative ileus with advancing age. (29/151)

Susceptibility to postoperative ileus following abdominal surgery increases with advancing age. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown. This study compares functional and molecular endpoints between young-adult (2 mo old), middle-aged (15 mo old), and elderly mice (26-30 mo old) to identify potential mechanisms. Susceptibility to ileus was assessed by measuring gastrointestinal transit (geometric center) 24 h after anesthesia, laparotomy, and light manipulation (LM) of the small bowel. Proinflammatory (IL-6, COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, heme oxygenase-1) gene and protein expressions were determined by real time RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. LM did not alter gastrointestinal transit in young animals (geometric center = 8.8 +/- 0.9), but transit was increasingly delayed in middle-aged (6.9 +/- 0.8, P = 0.03) and elderly animals (4.7 +/- 0.6, P = 0.013). Despite the lack of LM effect on transit in young mice, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA expressions were significantly increased postoperatively (165 +/- 24-fold and 2.9 +/- 0.3-fold, respectively). Expressions were increased further in middle-aged mice (1,103 +/- 187-fold; 4.4 +/- 0.7-fold) and further still in elderly mice (1,218 +/- 168-fold; 6.9 +/- 0.3-fold). IL-10 and heme oxygenase-1 gene expressions were also elevated postoperatively in young mice (4.8 +/- 0.5-fold and 13.0 +/- 1.3-fold, respectively) and were further increased in middle-aged mice (7.5 +/- 0.6-fold; 21.8 +/- 3.2-fold). However, inductions in elderly mice were significantly blunted (5.8 +/- 0.9-fold; 16.9 +/- 0.8-fold). There is both an age-dependent increase in the proinflammatory mediator expression and an age-dependent decrease in anti-inflammatory mediator expressions following minor insult to the bowel. Such imbalances between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms may form the basis for increased susceptibility to ileus and for the increased severity and duration of ileus observed in the elderly.  (+info)

Alvimopan, for postoperative ileus following bowel resection: a pooled analysis of phase III studies. (30/151)

OBJECTIVE: To obtain further analysis regarding specific outcomes and alvimopan doses in bowel resection (BR) patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although postoperative ileus (POI) is common after BR, there is currently no recognized treatment or prevention available. Alvimopan, a novel, peripherally active mu-opioid receptor antagonist, accelerated GI recovery after BR or hysterectomy in 3 phase III trials. METHODS: A pooled retrospective subset analysis of BR patients in alvimopan phase III trials was performed. Randomized BR patients received alvimopan 6 mg (n = 397), 12 mg (n = 413), or placebo (n = 402) >or=2 hours before surgery and twice daily until hospital discharge for +info)

Gallstone ileus: report of two cases and review of the literature. (31/151)

Gallstone ileus is a rare disease and accounts for 1%-4% of all cases of mechanical intestinal obstruction. It usually occurs in the elderly with a female predominance and may result in a high mortality rate. Its diagnosis is difficult and early diagnosis could reduce the mortality. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. We report two cases of gallstone ileus. The first was a 78-year old woman who had a 2-d history of vomiting and epigastralgia. Plain abdominal film suggested small bowel obstruction clinically attributed to adhesions. Later on, gallstone ileus was diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) based on the presence of pneumobilia, bowel obstruction, and an ectopic stone within the jejunum. She underwent emergent laparotomy with a one-stage procedure of enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula repair. The second case was a 76-year old man with a 1-wk history of epigastralgia. Plain abdominal film showed two round calcified stones in the right upper quadrant. Fistulography confirmed the presence of a cholecystoduodenal fistula and gallstone ileus was also diagnosed by abdominal CT. We attempted to remove the stones endoscopically, but failed leading to an emergent laparotomy and the same one-stage procedure as for the first case. The postoperative courses of the two cases were uneventful. Inspired by these 2 cases we reviewed the literature on the cause, diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus.  (+info)

Endogenous endotoxin participates in causing a panenteric inflammatory ileus after colonic surgery. (32/151)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate muscularis inflammation and endogenous endotoxin as causes of postoperative ileus. BACKGROUND: Postoperative inflammatory ileus of the colon is associated with a significant delay in gastrointestinal transit. We investigated whether these changes are caused by the downstream obstructive barrier of the surgically altered colon or by small intestinal muscularis inflammation itself. Furthermore, we evaluated the mechanistic role of gut derived endotoxin in the development of postoperative intestinal dysfunction. METHODS: Rats underwent surgical manipulation of the colon. Isolated gastrointestinal transit was analyzed in animals with ileostomy. The perioperative emigration of intracolonic particles was investigated by colonic luminal injection of fluorescently labeled LPS and microspheres. Mediator mRNA induction was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Muscularis leukocytic infiltrates were characterized. In vitro circular muscle contractility was assessed in a standard organ bath. RESULTS: Ileostomy rats presented with a significant delay in small intestinal transit after colonic manipulation. This was associated with leukocyte recruitment and inflammatory mediator mRNA induction within the small intestinal muscularis. Colonic manipulation caused the transference of intracolonic LPS and microspheres into the intestinal muscularis. Postoperative in vitro small intestinal circular muscle contractility was impaired by 42% compared with controls. Gut decontamination and TLR-4 deletion significantly alleviated the small intestinal muscularis inflammation and prevented intestinal muscle dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Selective colonic manipulation initiates a distant inflammatory response in the small intestinal muscularis that contributes to postoperative ileus. The data provide evidence that gut-derived bacterial products are mechanistically involved in the initiation of this remote inflammatory cascade.  (+info)