J Korean Surg Soc.  2000 Jul;59(1):133-136.

Treatment of Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's Syndrome) with Intravenous Neostigmine

• Hong BH
• Lee SI
• Ryu KW
• Kim SH
• Goo BH
• Moon HY

Abstract

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a functional disorder that closely mimics a mechanical large-bowel obstruction. Two such patients were treated by pharmacological manipulation of the parasympathetic innervation to the colon with intravenous neostigmine infusion. The two responded to treatment with passage with flatus and stool within several minutes with complete resolution of the symptoms, although the first patient required two additional infusions and the second patient required one additional infusion for subsequent recurrence. Dizziness occurred in one patient, and no other serious side effects were apparent. This pharmacological approach to the management of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is suggested as an alternative to the other treatment options of colonoscopic decompression or surgery when conservative management has failed.

Keyword

Ogilvie's syndrome; Colonic decompression; Neostigmine

MeSH Terms

Colon*
Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction*
Decompression
Dizziness
Flatulence
Humans
Neostigmine*
Recurrence
Neostigmine