Small bowel ischemia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND
Among a myriad of physiological adverse affects of pneumoperitoneum-associated intra-abdominal hypertension, compromise of the mesenteric circulation is well documented.


METHODS
After experiencing a case of fatal small bowel ischemia in the aftermath of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the literature was reviewed.


RESULTS
A Medline and Index Medicus search revealed at least 6 cases of small bowel ischemia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Mesenteric ischemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients developing nonspecific abdominal symptoms after laparoscopic procedures.
Andrei
V E
VE
Department of Surgery, New York Methodist Hospital and Cornell University Medical College, Brooklyn 11215, USA.
Schein
M
M
Wise
L
L
D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D017562:Postcholecystectomy Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation