Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is an acute non-mechanical colonic obstruction. Twenty patients with this condition presenting between 1988 and 1996 were retrospectively reviewed to identify the incidence and potential aetiologic factors, and to establish a uniform therapeutic approach.

Patients who fulfilled the criteria of acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon were reviewed retrospectively from a computerized database, and from a study of the hospital notes.

There were 12 men and eight women with a median age of 71 years. Seventeen patients (85%) had various coexisting medical conditions, and none of the cases had a recent surgical operation or trauma. Four patients had previous similar attacks. Patients had a median duration of symptoms and a hospital stay of 3 and 7 days, respectively. Diagnosis was based on the clinical features coupled with the findings on plain abdominal X-rays and contrast enema. Sixteen patients were successfully treated conservatively over a median time of 5 days. Three patients had a laparotomy: two patients had tube caecostomy (followed by complications), and one patient had no further treatment. One patient had colonoscopy with an unsatisfactory result. Two patients (10%) died and three (15%) developed complications.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is an uncommon but serious condition. The majority of our patients (17/20) had associated significant medical problems. Most of the patients were successfully managed conservatively. This was the preferred initial line of treatment in this department during the study period.