Peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists and postoperative ileus: mechanisms of action and clinical applicability.

Abstract

Postoperative ileus (POI), a transient cessation of coordinated bowel function after surgery, is an important health care problem. The etiology of POI is multifactorial and related to both the surgical and anesthetic pathways chosen. Opioids used to manage surgical pain can exacerbate POI, delaying gastrointestinal (GI) recovery. Peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor (PAM-OR) antagonists are designed to mitigate the deleterious effects of opioids on GI motility. This new class is investigational for POI management with the goal of accelerating the recovery of upper and lower GI tract function after bowel resection. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which POI occurs and the role of opioids and opioid receptors in the enteric nervous system, discuss the mechanism of action of PAM-OR antagonists, and review clinical pharmacology and Phase II/III POI trial results of methylnaltrexone and alvimopan. Finally, the role of anesthesiologists in managing POI in the context of a multimodal approach is discussed.

• Authors: Eugene R Viscusi, Tong J Gan, John B Leslie, Joseph F Foss, Mark D Talon, Wei Du, Gay Owens
• Journal: Anesthesia and analgesia (Anesth Analg) Vol. 108 Issue 6 Pg. 1811-22 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1526-7598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19448206 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Receptors, Opioid
• Receptors, Opioid, mu

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Animals
• Enteric Nervous System (physiology)
• Humans
• Ileus (chemically induced, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Narcotic Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Peripheral Nervous System (drug effects)
• Postoperative Complications (chemically induced, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Receptors, Opioid (physiology)
• Receptors, Opioid, mu (agonists)