[Postoperative ileus. Pathophysiology and prevention].

Continuous improvements in surgical technique and anaesthesia for ileus have resulted in a significant reduction of perioperative complications. Postoperative outcome of surgical patients is increasingly dependent on the severity of postoperative ileus, which often determines morbidity and length of hospital stay. In the present article we discuss possible variables influencing this disease. Furthermore, means of prevention and therapeutic strategies for postoperative ileus are briefly presented.