title: Small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopic approach.
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).
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Civil Hospital, Via Forlanini, 71-31029 Vittorio Veneto (TV), Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agresta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Michelet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bedin
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sartori
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome