title: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction in a burn patient.
abstract: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction as a syndrome was first described by Ogilvie in 1948 (Br. Med J. 2, 671). It is characterized by colonic dilatation with no mechanical cause which affects critically ill patients. As a result of this complication the prognosis worsens. Initially there are few clinical symptoms, but subsequently colonic obstruction develops which, if not treated, can cause perforation of the caecum resulting in a high mortality rate. The treatment includes decompression via rectal and nasogastric probes, colonoscopy and caecostomy.
authors.affiliation: Burn Unit (Plastic Surgery Service), Juan Canalejo Hospital, La Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valero Gasalla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vazquez-Barro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pousa Real
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martelo Villar
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D003112:Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans