RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ogilvie’s syndrome after lower extremity arthroplasty
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 133
OP 137
VO 42
IS 2
A1 Amr W. ElMaraghy
A1 Emil H. Schemitsch
A1 Marcus J. Burnstein
A1 James P. Waddell
YR 1999
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/42/2/133.abstract
AB Objective: To alert surgeons who perform arthroplasty to the possibility of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie’s syndrome) after elective orthopedic procedures. To identify possible risk factors and emphasize the need for prompt recognition, careful monitoring and appropriate management so as to reduce morbidity and mortality.Design: A case series.Setting: A university-affiliated hospital that is a major referral centre for orthopedic surgery.Patients: Four patients who had Ogilvie’s syndrome after lower extremity arthroplasty. Of this group, 2 had primary hip arthroplasty, 1 had primary knee arthroplasty and 1 had revision hip arthroplasty.Main outcome measures: Morbidity and mortality.Results: In all 4 patients Ogilvie’s syndrome was recognized late and required surgical intervention. Two patients died as a result of postoperative complications.Conclusions: Our case series identified increasing age, immobility and patient-controlled narcotic analgesia as potential risk factors for Ogilvie’s syndrome in the postoperative orthopedic patient. Prompt recognition and early consultation with frequent clinical and radiographic monitoring are necessary to avoid colonic perforation and its significant associated death rate.