Ileus states - conditions connecting psychiatrists and surgeons?

BACKGROUND

Ileus states are serious conditions that may lead to pathophysiological changes which in turn can result in perforation of bowel, peritonitis, sepsis or death. Our paper discusses paralytic ileus states, which can be caused by psychopharmaceutics with anticholinergic side effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective analysis of cases of paralytic ileus in mentally ill patients admitted to Mental Hospital Kromeriz.

CONCLUSION

Although some old psychopharmacs have a much higher potential for anticholinergic side effects than the new ones, there are still some of the new modern antipsychotics which also have anticholinergic side effects which could cause paralytic ileus. Both psychiatrists and surgeons should pay attention to atypical or changed signs of ileus states in mentally ill patients and should be aware of the confounding factors which could make the diagnosis of ileus difficult in mentally ill patients.