Ogilvie's syndrome: a potential complication of vaginal surgery

Ogilvie's syndrome is a well described disorder of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by marked dilatation of the distal colon without mechanical obstruction. There are numerous proposed etiologies for this syndrome, which include an association with certain medical conditions, medications and major abdominal surgery. The occurrence of Ogilvie's syndrome, however, is not widely reported following vaginal operations. We present 3 cases in which procedures on the bladder neck performed through the vagina resulted in the development of postoperative Ogilvie's syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome are important to avoid significant morbidity and mortality.