Abstract
Background: This is a retrospective review of our experience using a laparoscopic approach in the treatment of acute and chronic small bowel obstruction (SBO).
Materials and methods: Of 136 patients hospitalized in our institutions for acute (94 cases: 69.1%) and chronic (42 cases: 30.8%) SBO, from January 1994 to March 1998, 63 (46.3%) were approached laparoscopically. The etiology was accurately diagnosed in 58 cases (92%), and it was possible to treat it laparoscopically in 82.5% (52 of 63 cases). In the remaining 11 cases (17.4%), a formal laparotomy was needed for bowel resection, due to an ischemic small bowel or for malignant disease.
Results: Overall, 82.5% of our cases were successfully treated laparoscopically.
Conclusions: We conclude that, in experienced hands, laparoscopy is an excellent diagnostic and, in the majority of cases, a therapeutic surgical approach in selected patients with acute or chronic SBO.
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Received: 30 June 1998/Accepted: 12 February 1999
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Agresta, F., Piazza, A., Michelet, I. et al. Small bowel obstruction. Surg Endosc 14, 154–156 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900089
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900089