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ileus

ileus

1 9.9
A blockage in the intestine that stops food and waste moving through the gut
  • noun
  • /ˈaɪliəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : íleus
  • The doctor diagnosed the patient with an ileus after he experienced severe abdominal pain and bloating.

Examples

  • After the surgery, the nurse monitored the patient for signs of ileus, which could delay recovery.

  • The patient developed what was thought to be a prolonged ileus that would partially resolve, and then the symptoms would reoccur.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Paralytic ileus

    Academic text (2005)
  • Three patients in the autologous blood group and five in the homologous blood group showed signs of postoperative ileus, which required surgical intervention for one in each group. One patient in the autologous group had a bleeding complication.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Surgical complications were classified as anastomotic leakage, abdominal wound dehiscence, intra-abdominal bleeding, and ileus.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The presence of ileus was confirmed by the lack of bowel sounds during the examination.

Synonyms

intestinal obstruction
vsileus
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A blockage in the intestine that stops food and waste moving through

is the exact medical term used for the same intestinal blockage

How Severe

strangulation
  • Specialized
1 8.0
ileus
  • Specialized
1 9.9
constipation
18 3.4

Surface Forms

ileus singular
ileuses plural

Etymology

Ileus comes from an old Greek verb eilein meaning 'to roll' or 'to twist'. Think of the intestine as 'twisted' or stopped, which helps remember that an ileus is a blockage that keeps the bowel from moving its contents.