Transabdominal neurostimulation in acute spinal cord injuries.

Transabdominal neurostimulation (TANS) is a new term and concept used in the prevention and treatment of adynamic or paralytic ileus. Though it may occur for other reasons, ileus is a frequent and common complication of acute spinal cord injuries. The calculated incidence of ileus in this study of 43 control acute spinal-injured patients at Northwestern University was 15%. Of 44 patients on whom the TANS procedure was used, none developed paralytic ileus. The primary advantages observed from the use of TANS were the following: the ease of application, the lack of major complications, and the prevention of ileus.