Adynamic ileus in severe Guillain-Barre syndrome

Adynamic ileus occurred in 17 of 114 patients (15%) with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Cardiovascular dysautonomia coincided with ileus in only five patients. In four patients, mechanical ventilation and immobilization could be implicated; and in eight patients, preexisting conditions such as prior abdominal surgery or incremental doses of opioids could be linked to ileus. Medical management was successful in all patients. Patients with GBS infrequently develop ileus as a manifestation of dysautonomia. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.