For a patient post-op cardiothoracic surgery with nausea and abdominal pain, what is the likely diagnosis?

In considering a post-operative cardiothoracic patient who presents with nausea and abdominal pain, the most likely diagnosis is postoperative ileus. This condition is characterized by a temporary cessation of bowel motility following surgery, particularly after abdominal or thoracic procedures. It manifests as nausea, abdominal distention, and discomfort due to the lack of effective bowel movement and peristalsis.

Postoperative ileus is a common and expected finding after surgery, particularly within the first few days. It occurs due to several factors, including the effects of anesthesia, surgical manipulation of the intestines, and stress responses to surgery. Management often involves supportive care, including adequate hydration, monitoring, and eventually encouraging early mobilization and oral intake to stimulate bowel function.

While mesenteric infarct, bowel obstruction, and acute pancreatitis may also cause nausea and abdominal pain in a post-operative setting, they are less likely to occur so soon after cardiothoracic surgery without additional severe symptoms or risk factors. Mesenteric infarction typically presents with more acute and severe pain, possibly leading to ischemic signs. Bowel obstruction often comes with more pronounced signs of distention and feculent vomiting, and acute pancreatitis would usually be indicated by elevated lipase levels or significant ep