Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Post-Operative Ileus

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or Female, Age \>18 years, \< 65 years * Partial small or large bowel open resection with primary anastomosis * 120 hours post-operative with no signs of functional bowel activity * Able to give Informed Consent * By Post-Op Day 5, patient care has involved at least 3 of the following conservative therapies to minimize long term POI: i. post-operative, patient controlled opioid analgesia ii. removal of intra-operative nasogastric tube at time of surgery or on post-operative day 1 iii. advancement of liquid diet iv. advancement of solid food v. ambulation vi. use of chewing gum Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant * Undergoing surgery for repair of penetrating trauma injury, gangrene or ischemic bowel * Evidence of anastomotic leak, abdominal infection, sepsis, bowel perforation, mechanical small bowel obstruction or metabolic derangement (e.g., low potassium/magnesium) * Presence of existing implanted or external stimulator for pain or other indications (including pacemaker) * Operative blood lost of \> 500 cc * Significant scarring of the skin along the lower thoracic/lumbar spine or deformation of thoracic spinal canal from congenital, developmental or traumatic causes, or previous extensive spinal thoracic surgery other than diskectomy * Received a lumbar or thoracic epidural block placed immediately prior to surgery * Body Mass Index \> 35 * Unstable cardiac status * Severe hypertension * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Score greater…