Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of modified retention enema with rhubarb on gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients. Methods 60 cases of critically ill patients(APACHE Ⅱ score s ranged from 11to19 points ) were randomly divided into observation and control group. There were 30 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with modified retention enema with rhubarb, while the control group were treated with traditional technology. To compare the preventive effects of two groups of patients on retention time, gastric retention, gastrointestinal distension and diarrhea in 2 groups after treatment. Results In observation group, the retention time was higher than control group, and incidence rate of adverse events in observation group was lower than that in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions Retention enema with modified rhubarb has good effect, and it can be used in clinic for the prevention of gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients