ACUTE ADYNAMIC NEUROMUSCULAR STATES OF THE SMALL I

ACUTE ADYNAMIC NEUROMUSCULAR STATES OF THE SMALL INTESTINE WITH DILATATION: ILEUS Definition

Ileus can be defined as: a disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the intestine due to a malfunction of contractile activity in the absence of mechanical obstruction. This definition excepts certain older terms such as ‘meconium ileus’ and ‘gallstone ileus’ (see Chapters 17 and 78 ) that persist in usage, although they are technically misnomers (i.e. there is mechanical obstruction). The term ‘paralytic ileus’, although descriptive for the student, is outdated and not entirely correct since studies show that motor activity is not abolished but rather dysregulated.