Postoperative ileus is one of the most important and common complications experienced after abdominal surgeries. It is an iatrogenic impairment of propulsive gastrointestinal motility. Postoperative ileus delays hospital discharge, increases costs, and contributes to adverse out comes. Avariety of neural and chemical factors are involved. To shorten the duration of postoperative ileus, we may need to establish standard plans of care that favor earlier feeding, use of nasogastric tubes only on a selective basis, and prokinetic drugs as needed.