The laparoscopic second look for ischemic bowel disease.
BACKGROUND
Survival after acute vascular ischemia depends on a second look laparotomy to detect extending bowel compromise and to verify the integrity of the anastomosis. In a series of five consecutive patients with acute ischemic bowel disease, we used laparoscopic technique to determine if a formal laparotomy could be avoided.


METHODS
following the resection of ischemic bowel in five consecutive patients, two laparoscopic trocars were inserted in the lower abdominal quadrants and covered by sterile gloves. Forty-eight to 72 h following the primary operation, the abdomen was inflated via a trocar and secondary assessment done by laparoscopy.


RESULTS
In all patients, the integrity of the anastomosis and viability of the remaining bowel was accurately assessed by laparoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Using minimally invasive techniques, a second look laparotomy was avoided in 5 patients with ischemic bowel disease.
Slutzki
S
S
Department of Surgery "B," Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine,
Halpern
Z
Z
Negri
M
M
Kais
H
H
Halevy
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation