title: [A preliminary experience in the laparoscopic approach to bowel obstruction].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The laparoscopic approach to bowel obstruction is still controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate our initial results in the laparoscopic treatment of bowel obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study on patients diagnosed with bowel obstruction that underwent laparoscopic surgery within the time frame of January 2008 to June 30, 2012. The variables employed were: age, sex, occlusion etiology, previous surgeries, clinical progression, pneumoperitoneum creation, use of an auxiliary incision, anesthesia duration, conversion rate, postoperative hospital stay, time needed to tolerate liquids, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients, 18 women (69.2%) and 8 men (30.8%), with a mean age of 64.35 years (range: 21-92 years) were analyzed. The most frequent obstruction etiology was secondary to adhesions and presented in 12 cases. Nine patients (34.6%) underwent a completely laparoscopic approach and laparoscopy was complemented by an auxiliary incision in another 9 patients (34.6%), resulting in 18 cases (69.2%) of successful laparoscopic approach. Eight patients (30.8%) required conversion to open surgery. The mean anesthesia duration was 95min (range: 55-165min), mean postoperative hospital stay was 6 days (range: 3-72 days), and the mean amount of time needed to tolerate liquids was 3 days (range: 1-10 days). The patients that underwent complete laparoscopic approach presented with shorter hospital stay, they were able to ingest liquids earlier, and they presented with a lower number of postoperative complications; this latter variable was the only one that was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The initial results of our experience were good, although more patients are needed in order to standardize and extend the use of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España. Electronic address: carlosfortea@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortea-Sanchis
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Priego-Jiménez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ramos
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ángel-Yepes
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villegas-Cánovas
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escrig-Sos
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón, España.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Salvador-Sanchis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Abordaje laparoscópico; Adhesiolisis; Adhesiolysis; Bowel obstruction; Laparoscopia; Laparoscopic approach; Laparoscopy; Obstrucción intestinal