Initial experience with laparoscopic adhesiolysis in children

Abstract

Intra-abdominal adhesions are a well-known complication of laparotomy. We report our initial experience of ten children undergoing laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of intra-abdominal adhesions. Significant adhesions were found in seven patients and successfully treated laparoscopically. Two patients required a second procedure, the first for recurrent adhesions 6 months following laparoscopic adhesiolysis, and the second because of an initial unsuccessful attempt. Even very extensive adhesions can be treated effectively and safely with very low morbidity. There were no conversions to open laparotomy. It has been our observation that pain localised to a healed laparotomy incision may be caused by adhesions to the undersurface of the scar, and lysis of these adhesions resulted in resolution of the pain in our patients.