Postoperative pseudo-obstruction is a rare state of protracted gastrointestinal paresis
that may progress to paralysis without the presence of obstructive lesions. Pseudo
-obstruction is usually, but not exclusively, associated with an abdominal operative procedure
(laparotomy), however, it may occasionally occur following extra-abdominal operations.
As differentiated from the usual, \u27physiologic\u27 postoperative paresis, pseudo-obstruction
persists for more than 7 days. The pathogenesis of postoperative pseudo-obstruction is
complex and as yet partially unknown. Whereas the \u27physiologic\u27 postoperative gastrointestinal
paresis includes short-term functional cholinergic depression of the visceral
organs, in pseudo-obstruction focal lesions in the region of Auerbach\u27s plexus, manifesting
as visceral neuromyopathy, are involved. That is why the \u27physiologic\u27 postoperative
paresis never transforms into paralytic ileus, while in pseudo-obstruction such a risk is
potentially involved. The treatment for pseudo-obstruction is as a rule conservative.
Surgical treatment (cecostomy) is rarely required. Colonoscopic decompresive suction is
usually enough to eliminate the risk of colon rupture due to extensive distention by fast
growing meteorism. A patient with postoperative pseudo-obstruction is presented
