perception processes that occur as a result (Melzack, 1999).
If left uncontrolled, pain can initiate a cascade, which can
result in the compromise of otherwise efficient biological
systems (Macintyre and Schug, 2007). In surgery for
bowel cancer, it is important to reduce the risk of ileus
development caused by the manipulation and resection
of bowel tissue (Story and Chamberlain, 2009). However,
pain stimulus from the spinal reflex arc will reduce gastric
and bowel activity, potentially increasing the risk of
postoperative ileus development (Slater, 2010).