[Surgical indications in acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie syndrome)].

Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (APC), popularly known as Ogilvie's syndrome, has been the subject of numerous medical communications in the past two decades. In this paper three patients with APC managed surgically are presented. In two patients cecal perforation developed; in the third patient a discharge cecostomy was carried out because of a caecal diameter of 16 cm. Indications for the operative management of these patients include pneumoperitoneum, development of peritonitis in the area of the cecum, continued cecal distention after 48-72 hours of therapy with or without colonoscopy, cecal diameter greater than 12 cm, respiratory failure and uncertain diagnosis.