Gastrografin in Postoperative Ileus

After abdominal surgery there is a period of unavoidable dysfunction of the gut. During this time patients are often unable to eat and drink, and do not pass any flatus or stool. Though this resolves within a few days for most, there are a significant number (around 30%) who go on to have a prolonged period of this dysfunction known clinically as postoperative ileus. It has been clearly shown that this group of patients have worse health outcomes and spend a longer time in hospital. The aim of this study is to trial a drug - gastrografin - in the management of prolonged postoperative ileus. Gastrografin is safe, economical, readily available, and has been used with great success in the similar condition of bowel obstruction. It is predicted that gastrografin will shorten the duration of a prolonged postoperative ileus, thus affording affected patients a better outcome from surgery.