Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction in Vascular Patients (Ogilvie syndrome)

Abstract

Two patients with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction are presented. Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, first described by Ogilvie in 1948, is characterised by signs of colonic obstruction, but without mechanical obstruction to the intestinal flow. The current hypothesis states that it is caused by an imbalance between sacral parasympathetic excitatory nerves and sympathetic inhibitory nerves, thus inducing functional obstruction. It mostly develops in hospitalised patients with a variety of medical and surgical conditions.

Two such patients with extensive co-morbidities, developed progressive colon dilatation with signs of acute peritonitis, and were operated on urgently. In both patients, right hemicolectomy and postoperative medical treatment resulted in complete recovery.

Key words:

• Colonic pseudo-obstruction
• Ogilvie’s syndrome
• intestinal perforation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R. Van Hee

Prof. Dr. R. Van Hee Academic Surgical Center Stuivenberg ZNA-Campus Stuivenberg Lange Beeldekensstraat 267 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]