bowel
Last reviewed 01/2018
A transient ileus for 2-3 days often follows spinal injury.
Spontaneous evacuation of faeces occurs as spontaneous bowel movements return. Aperients such as bisacodyl or docusate sodium are given to made the faeces an easy consistency. Later, patients may be able to spontaneously evacuate at a convenient time by careful adjustment of diet and suppositories.
Digital evacuation may be necessary in tetraplegics.