Use of the laparoscope to perform intraoperative enteroscopy.
BACKGROUND
In a small number of patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, standard diagnostic studies fail to identify the source. Intraoperative enteroscopy is useful in these cases. Usually a colonoscope is used to perform peroperative enteroscopy.


METHODS
We describe the technique that we use to perform intraoperative enteroscopy via a laparoscope.


RESULTS
The bleeding site was identified in two of three cases. In one patient, a vascular malformation in the proximal jejunum was found. In the other, an ulceronodular lesion was seen in the midjejunum.


CONCLUSIONS
The laparoscope can be used successfully to visualize the entire small bowel in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
Agarwal
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Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India.
D001706:Biopsy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D020706:Laparoscopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged