Laparoscopic management of recurrent adhesive small-bowel obstruction: Long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic adhesiolysis for recurrent small-bowel obstruction (SBO), when performed early after failed conservative treatment.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2005, elective laparoscopic adhesiolysis was attempted in 46 patients with recurrent SBO after abdominal or pelvic surgery. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was done during the acute onset of SBO after the patient failed to respond to 24 h of conservative treatment.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients (32.6%) presented with recurrent SBO and 31 patients (67.4%) presented with recurrent SBO and chronic abdominal pain. Postoperative adhesions were identified laparoscopically in all patients: as isolated bands in 11 patients, enteroperitoneal angulation in 12 patients, entero-enteral angulation in 17 patients, and extensive dense and matted intra-abdominal adhesions in 6 patients. Successful complete laparoscopic adhesiolysis was achieved in 42 of the 46 patients (91.3%). Conversion to minilaparotomy was required for a convoluted mass of adherent bowel in one patient (2.2%) and laparotomy was required for extensive dense and matted adhesions in three patients (6.5%). The mean follow-up was 46.5 months (range 24-89 months). Forty-three patients (93.5%) were asymptomatic after the operation. Only one patient (2.2%) had a further two episodes of SBO over 38 months of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic intervention, when done early after the onset of symptoms, is highly feasible, safe, and effective in selected patients with recurrent SBO caused by postoperative adhesion.
Wang
Qiang
Q
Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Road, Shanghai 200003, PR China.
Hu
Zhi Qian
ZQ
Wang
Wei Jun
WJ
Zhang
Jian
J
Wang
Yi
Y
Ruan
Can Ping
CP
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome