Advances in the mechanisms of postoperative ileus

Postoperative ileus is commonly referred to the inhibition of gastrointestinal motility after ab-dominal surgery. Some causes are responsible for the ileus, including postoperative pain and electrolyte im-balances, and manipulations during surgery. Although gastrointestinal motility normalizes spontaneously in most patients, some develop severe to postoperative ileus, which is difficult to treat, with a delayed recovery from surgery, prolonged hospital stay, and increased treatment costs. So, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of postoperative ileus for effective prevention and treatment. Key words: postoperative ilens; gastrointestinal motility; mechanism