title: Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) complicating radical retropubic prostatectomy.
abstract: We report 3 cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction in the immediate post-radical retropubic prostatectomy patient. We have not found this syndrome reported in this clinical setting, and suggest that it results from an imbalance in the autonomic innervation of the distal colon secondary to noxious afferent parasympathetic stimulation from the region of the prostate gland. Treatment guidelines are summarized stressing early recognition and conservative management of this potentially fatal complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Evanston Hospital, Illinois.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: McVary
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D003106:Colon / Q000294:innervation; D003112:Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography