Ileus epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Ileus is most commonly seen in patients undergoing surgical treatment. The incidence and prevalence of ileus varies with the type of surgery performed. Patients with large incisions are at a relatively higher risk of developing ileus as compared to patients undergoing minor surgical procedures with small incisions. The incidence of ileus in patients undergoing laparotomy is approximately 9,000 per 100,000 cases worldwide, which is more common compared to other surgeries. The prevalence of ileus is not precisely known. However, it is estimated that that around 10 percent (10,000 per 100,000) of the people undergoing surgical procedures develop ileus that lasts longer than three days. Postoperative ileus has been present in 15% of patients who had partial bowel resection, based on one study. Patients of all age groups may develop ileus but it is more commonly seen in the elderly due to underlying comorbidities. There is no racial predisposition for ileus and both men and women are affected equally.

Epidemiology and Demographics

The incidence of ileus in patients undergoing laparotomy is approximately 9,000 per 100,000 cases worldwide.
The incidence of ileus in patients undergoing thoracic procedures is approximately 1,400 per 100,000 cases worldwide.
The incidence of ileus in patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures is approximately 1,500 per 100,000 cases worldwide.

Ileus is most commonly seen in patients undergoing surgical treatment. Ileus is a common complication in the postoperative setting and is often considered a normal sequelae of surgery and the majority of the cases are not reported. Postoperative ileus has been present in 15% of patients who had partial bowel resection, based on one study.^[5]
Although no precise data is available regarding the prevalence of ileus, the following data gives an estimate of ileus lasting longer than 3 days in the postoperative setting. ^[2]^[1]
- It is estimated that that around 10 percent of the patients (or 10,000 per 100,000 cases) undergoing surgical procedures develop ileus that lasts longer than 3 days.
- In the United States, approximately 2.7 million patients developed postoperative ileus lasting more than 1 day.

Patients of all age groups may develop ileus.
Ileus is more commonly seen in elderly patients due to underlying comorbidities.

There is no racial predisposition to ileus.

Ileus affects both men and women equally.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Wolthuis AM, Bislenghi G, Fieuws S, de Buck van Overstraeten A, Boeckxstaens G, D’Hoore A (2016). “Incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Colorectal Dis. 18 (1): O1–9. doi:10.1111/codi.13210. PMID 26558477.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Story SK, Chamberlain RS (2009). “A comprehensive review of evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat postoperative ileus”. Dig Surg. 26 (4): 265–75. doi:10.1159/000227765. PMID 19590205.
↑ Senagore AJ (2007). “Pathogenesis and clinical and economic consequences of postoperative ileus”. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 64 (20 Suppl 13): S3–7. doi:10.2146/ajhp070428. PMID 17909274.
↑ Kuruba R, Fayard N, Snyder D (2012). “Epidural analgesia and laparoscopic technique do not reduce incidence of prolonged ileus in elective colon resections”. Am. J. Surg. 204 (5): 613–8. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.07.011. PMID 22906251.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Wolff BG, Viscusi ER, Delaney CP, Du W, Techner L (2007). “Patterns of gastrointestinal recovery after bowel resection and total abdominal hysterectomy: pooled results from the placebo arms of alvimopan phase III North American clinical trials”. J. Am. Coll. Surg. 205 (1): 43–51. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2007.02.026. PMID 17617331.

Overview