Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome) after arthroplasty in the lower extremity.
BACKGROUND
Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, also known as Ogilvie syndrome, is an uncommon postoperative complication of total hip and total knee arthroplasty that is characterized by massive colonic dilatation and the potential for substantial morbidity and mortality.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 1170 total hip and knee arthroplasties performed by one surgeon from 1995 to 2002, and identified eighteen patients with Ogilvie syndrome. Radiographs and medical records were analyzed for risk factors and treatment effectiveness.


RESULTS
Eleven (1.6%) of 708 patients who had a total hip arthroplasty and seven (1.5%) of 462 patients who had a total knee arthroplasty had Ogilvie syndrome develop postoperatively. Seventeen of these patients had preoperative conditions and/or had received medications identified as risk factors for Ogilvie syndrome. The use of patient-controlled analgesia was associated with an earlier development of symptoms. Colonic decompression was performed in seven patients and was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay (p = 0.019).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction was equally prevalent after total hip and total knee arthroplasties. Most patients who had Ogilvie syndrome had risk factors that could be identified preoperatively. Knowledge of these risk factors can enable the physician to anticipate which patients may have Ogilvie syndrome develop and, therefore, to be vigilant for its development and judicious in the use of patient-controlled analgesia. We also found that decompressive colonoscopy reduced the risk of perforation and decreased the length of hospitalization for the patients in whom Ogilvie syndrome developed.
Nelson
Joshua D
JD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. jnelson3@kumc.edu
Urban
Joshua A
JA
Salsbury
Thomas L
TL
Lowry
Jason K
JK
Garvin
Kevin L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003112:Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome