Adynamic ileus, its pathogenesis and treatment

Abstract

The article presents a rational treatment for adynamic ileus, based on an analysis of the physiological mechanisms underlying its occurrence. Adynamic ileus occurs following irritation within the abdominal cavity or following trauma or infection which may be intraabdominal or extraabdominal. The inhibition of gastrointestinal motility is due to increased activity in adrenergic nerves mediated through spinal or peripheral reflex pathways. The adrenergic nerves ramify in the enteric plexuses and act there to antagonize the transmission of excitation from intrinsic nerves to intestinal muscle. The receptors for noradrenaline within the plexuses are of the alpha type. Therefore adynamic ileus ca..