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This study used radiopaque markers and serial abdominal radiographs to assess the effect of epidural anesthesia on postoperative colonic ileus. Epidural anesthesia did not result in significantly faster return of propulsive motility in the colon after surgery as compared with control (P greater than 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was seen between the groups in colonic transit time and time for the first passage of gas and feces. The level of inhibition of sympathetic efferent nerves to the abdominal cavity was assessed by repeated measurements of blood glucose levels during the first postoperative day. Blood glucose levels were found to be significantly lower in the epidural group, demonstrating an inhibition of efferent sympathetic nerves below the level of T-5. Results show lack of effect of continuous epidural anesthesia in the prevention of postoperative paralytic ileus and suggest that mechanisms other than spinal reflexes play a major part in the development and maintenance of intestinal paralysis.
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