In 1890, Courvoisier published the first gallstone
ileus cases of 131 patients and reported a mortality rate of 44% (1).
Bezoars tend to be movable, causing incomplete
ileus in the small intestine.
Large-bowel obstruction should be considered if the colonic diameter is greater than 6 cm and in the presence of air-fluid levels, although these findings are not specific for obstruction and can be seen with paralytic
ileus and toxic megacolon.
The current study was performed to investigate the effect of gum chewing on the return of intestinal function in women with cesarean section under the spinal anesthesia, so that a positive step can be taken toward diminishing their problems in fields of timely and early prevention of
ileus. According to the findings obtained in this study, gum chewing shortened the duration of the intestinal movements, first flatus, time to hear intestinal sounds and time to discharge in patients undergoing cesarean section under the spinal anesthesia in the post-operative period.
Rare causes include worms, dental impaction, intussusceptions, gall stone
ileus, Meckel's diverticulum and blunt abdominal trauma.
(14) With regards to postoperative
ileus it has been reported that it is more common in OA compared to LA, (2,4,22) likely because of laparoscopic surgeon's ability to minimise manipulation of the cecum and ileum.
Many fruit and vegetable materials, such as banana, persimmon, coconut, Brussels sprout, and potato peel, have been reported to cause phytobezoars and subsequent
ileus (2).
Indicators observed postoperatively were as follows: (1) rate of anastomotic leakage; (2) rate of postoperative short-term (before hospital discharge)
ileus; (3) rate of postoperative long-term (6 months after surgery)
ileus; (4) rate of respiratory infections; (5) rate of urinary tract infections; and (6) rate of deep venous thrombosis.
Waxman, "Gum chewing reduces
ileus after elective open sigmoid colectomy," Archives of Surgery, vol.
The risk of paralytic
ileus after treatment with vincristine must be borne in mind when treating gastrointestinal lymphomas [15, 16].
She initially was diagnosed to have paralytic
ileus, but her general condition eventually deteriorated dramatically, and she developed tachycardia and shortness of breath.
Here, we present a case of primary intestinal enterolith causing small bowel obstruction that was originally diagnosed as a secondary gallstone
ileus.