Pathogenesis and management of postoperative ileus.

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a predictable delay in gastrointestinal (GI) motility that occurs after abdominal surgery. Probable mechanisms include disruption of the sympathetic/parasympathetic pathways to the GI tract, inflammatory changes mediated over multiple pathways, and the use of opioids for the management of postoperative pain. Pharmacologic treatment of postoperative ileus continues to be problematic as most agents are unreliable and unsubstantiated with robust clinical trials. The selective opioid antagonist alvimopan has shown promise in reducing POI, but needs more rigorous investigation. Clinician interventions proven to be of benefit include laparoscopy, thoracic epidural anesthesia, avoidance of opioids, and early feeding. Early ambulation may also contribute to early resolution of POI; however, routine nasogastric decompression plays no role and may increase complications. Multimodal care plans remain the mainstay of treatment for POI.