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Minerva Chirurgica 2007 December;62(6):477-88

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis in acute small bowel obstruction

Cirocchi R., Giustozzi G., De Sol A., Bravetti M., Cattorini L., Del Monaco P., Migliaccio C., Sciannameo F.

Clinica Chirurgica Generale e d’Urgenza Azienda Ospedaliera di Terni Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia

At the begining of the laparoscopic surgery, intestinal obstruction was considered an absolute controidication for this approach, because of the high risk of injuring the bowel. Today laparoscopic surgery for small bowel obstruction is still under evaluation. Adhesions are the most common cause of obstruction; although an important proportion of these patients can be nonoperatively treated, some of these require immediate operation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the reliability and immediate results of laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction by postoperative adhesions. Laparoscopic management of acute small bowell obstruction is feasible, but it is often difficult and may be hazardous. The patients with acute obstruction may be undergo laparoscopy after a carefull selection. Morbidity is low if the operation is performed by skilled. The immediate benefit is rapid intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay. The long-term effect is the prevention of small bowell obstruction recurrences by new postoperative adhesions.