Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon
Bullock, P.R.; Thomas, W.E.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 66(5): 327-330
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 6548347 Document Number: 229730
Nineteen patients presenting with pseudo-obstruction of the colon are described. Thirteen were female and the mean age was 65.7 years (48-82). Five cases appeared idiopathic but the remainder were associated with either intercurrent disease, surgery or trauma. Six patients underwent laparotomy, 3 for gross caecal distension and 1 subsequently died with bronchopneumonia. Thirteen patients were treated conservatively with flatus tube decompression or colonoscopy, but 3 died, 1 from a perforated caecum, 1 from a recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage and 1 from bronchopneumonia. The high mortality of caecal perforation in this condition is stressed, and gross radiological caecal distension with overlying tenderness is an indication for urgent decompression.