Small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopic approach.
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.
Agresta
F
F
Department of Surgery, Civil Hospital, Via Forlanini, 71-31029 Vittorio Veneto (TV), Italy.
Piazza
A
A
Michelet
I
I
Bedin
N
N
Sartori
C A
CA
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