Editing Ileus (section)

== Differential diagnosis ==

* Physiologic ileus
* Mechanical SBO
** SBO typically has return of bowel function and oral intake, followed by new onset of symptoms; whereas ileus never comes back
** Early post-operative adhesions are typically soft and likely to resolve spontaneously
** Consider likelihood of internal hernia, masses, peritoneal disease
**

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Sign or symptom'''
|'''Ileus'''
|'''SBO'''
|-
|Abdominal distention
|May be present
|May be present
|-
|'''Bowel sounds'''
|'''Usually quiet or absent'''
|'''May be high pitched, may be absent'''
|-
|Obstipation
|May be present
|May be present
|-
|'''Pain'''
|'''Mild and diffuse'''
|'''Moderate to severe, colicky'''
|-
|'''Peritoneal signs'''
|'''Absent'''
|'''May be present'''
|-
|'''Radiography'''
|'''Dilated loops of bowel, paucity of colonic gas'''
|'''Dilated loops of bowel, differential air-fluid levels, paucity or absence of colonic gas'''
|-
|'''Fever, tachycardia'''
|'''Absent'''
|'''Should raise suspicion'''
|-
|Vomiting
|May be present
|May be present, may be bilious or feculent
|}

* Colonic pseudo-obstruction