Iatrogenic constipation in gastrointestinal surgery.

Postoperative constipation occurs relatively frequently, and can involve drug-related, surgical and lifestyle and dietary factors. Gastrointestinal motility can be altered by inflammation, surgery, opioid medications, hypnotics, anti-secretory or anesthetic drugs or by functional modifications for which the physiopathology is not well defined. There are a number of laxatives available.