Frequency of Postoperative Ileus Following Exploratory Laparotomy at Tertiary Care Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i6.2174Keywords:
Postoperative ileus, Exploratory laparotomy, Surgical complication, Operative duration, Hospital stayAbstract
Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication following abdominal surgery, particularly exploratory laparotomy, and is associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and higher healthcare costs. Early identification of its frequency and associated risk factors is essential to improve surgical outcomes. Objective: To find out the frequency of postoperative ileus following exploratory laparotomy. Methods: This study was conducted on 149 patients aged 18 to 60 years who underwent exploratory laparotomy in the General Surgery Department, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, from 29-01-2025 to 29-04-2025. Patients with pneumonia, thyroid dysfunction, and those presenting with pregnancy were excluded. Postoperative ileus was assessed in all patients, defined clinically by abdominal distension, absence of flatus or bowel movements, nausea or vomiting, and absent bowel sounds within 5 days after surgery. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25. Results: The mean age of patients was 42.28 ± 13.24 years. The majority were male patients (55.7%). The postoperative ileus rate in this study was 13 (8.7%). The study observed a significant association of postoperative ileus with prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.01) and prolonged surgery duration (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Postoperative ileus was developed in 8.7% patients following exploratory laparotomy. Prolonged operative time and prolonged hospital stay were significantly associated with postoperative ileus.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Bilal, Ajmal Khan, Waqas Ur Rehman, Farzand Ali, Syeda Maleeha Nisar
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