Laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of acute adhesive obstruction of the small intestine

The results of operative treatment of 59 patients, suffering an acute adhesive ileus of small intestine (ISI), are presented. In 28 patients obturation ileus was diagnosed intraoperatively and in 31 - the strangulation one. In 14 patients an early postoperative adhesive ISI was noted. In all of them diagnostic laparoscopy was used. In 45 patients ISI was eliminated, using laparoscopic method, in 14--the conversion was performed, including the small intestine resection in 8 of them. One patient died (lethality 1.7%). In one patient the adhesive ISI recurrence have occurred in 8 months after laparoscopic adhesiolysis performance. Minimal trauma, short duration of the operation, good cosmetic results, uncomplicated course of postoperative period witnesses the efficacy of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of an acute adhesive ISI.     

Enteroclysis-guided laparoscopic adhesiolysis in recurrent adhesive small bowel obstructions

The aim of this study was to point out the efficiency of enteroclysis assay in localization of intraabdominal adhesions that impede small bowel transit in patients with recurrent adhesive small bowel obstruction who underwent laparoscopic partial adhesiolysis. Between January 1998 and June 2001, 15 selected patients with recurrent adhesive small bowel obstructions were treated successfully by medical means and evaluated with enteroclysis to define the pathologic adhesive site that impeded bowel transit. If the results of enteroclysis were indicative, they underwent laparoscopic partial adhesiolysis. The mean duration of the laparoscopic procedure was 99 minutes. In one patient conversion to laparotomy occurred because of excessive adhesions, and in another patient a small bowel injury occurred and enterorrhaphy was performed laparoscopically. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. During a mean follow-up of 17.2 months (range, 6-39), there was no delayed morbidity or recurrence. Identification of the small bowel site of recurrent obstruction with enteroclysis permits limited laparoscopic adhesiolysis. This approach may be a rational alternative to not only open procedures but also complete laparoscopic adhesiolysis without enteroclysis.     

腹腔镜治疗粘连性肠梗阻42例报告

目的:探讨腹腔镜下肠粘连松解术治疗粘连性肠梗阻的可行性及疗效。方法:总结2001年1月至2007年12月42例粘连性小肠梗阻患者行腹腔镜粘连松解术,并配合留置医用生物蛋白胶或透明质酸钠防止再粘连的临床资料。结果:40例应用腹腔镜成功实施粘连松解术,未出现手术并发症和过敏现象,随访3~36个月,无肠梗阻症状复发;2例中转开腹。结论:腹腔镜肠粘连松解术配合生物蛋白胶治疗粘连性肠梗阻安全实用,疗效满意,是处理粘连性肠梗阻的有效手段之一。     

腹腔镜肠黏连松解联合应用生物蛋白胶治疗黏连性肠梗阻

目的探讨腹腔镜肠黏连松解联合应用生物蛋白胶治疗黏连性肠梗阻的可行性及其疗效。方法总结1998年5月至2003年10月间,28例黏连性小肠梗阻患者进行腹腔镜黏连松解术、并配合留置医用生物蛋白胶防止再黏连的临床资料。结果应用腹腔镜全组均成功实施黏连松解术解除肠梗阻,均于术中留置医用生物蛋白胶防止再黏连,未出现手术并发症和过敏现象;随访3～60个月,未发现肠梗阻症状复发。结论腹腔镜肠黏连松解术配合生物蛋白胶治疗黏连性肠梗阻安全实用,疗效满意,是处理黏连性肠梗阻的理想手段之一。     

腹腔镜下粘连松解术治疗粘连性肠梗阻的探讨

目的:探讨腹腔镜下粘连松解术治疗粘连性肠梗阻的方法及临床效果。方法:对46例诊断明确、临床症状基本缓解的粘连性肠梗阻患者,行择期腹腔镜下粘连松解术。设定气腹压力为12~15mm Hg,3~4个操作孔。其中粘连带致肠梗阻者切除粘连带,小肠与腹壁粘连成角及小肠网膜与腹壁粘连者用电凝分离剪、分离钳分离与腹壁的粘连;对粘连广泛致密腹腔镜操作困难者,可做辅助小切口,手助完成手术。结果:35例腹腔镜下完成粘连松解术,3例因粘连致密分离困难,做辅助小切口完成手术;7例不能造气腹中转开腹;1例分离时小肠破裂中转开腹。随访腹腔镜完成手术者3~48个月,梗阻均无复发。结论:腹腔镜粘连松解术治疗粘连性肠梗阻安全实用,临床效果可靠。具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少、住院时间短等优点。     

Single-port laparoscopic management of adhesive small bowel obstruction

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis has been the focus of much recent attention; however, the role of single-port laparoscopic surgery for adhesive small bowel obstruction remains unclear. We report our experience of performing single-port laparoscopic surgery for adhesive small bowel obstruction through a retrospective review of 15 consecutive patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery for single adhesive small bowel obstruction between 2010 and 2012. We analyzed data on patient demographics, operating time, conversion, and surgical morbidity. Surgery was completed successfully without conversion to laparotomy or the need for additional intraoperative ports in 14 patients, but the remaining patient had peritoneal dissemination from colon cancer. The median operative time was 49 (25–148) min, and the estimated blood loss was 19 (2–182) ml. There were no major postoperative complications. We conclude that single-port laparoscopic surgery is a technically feasible approach for selected patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction when preoperative imaging identifies a single adhesive obstruction.     

Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND: Conventional surgical management of acute small bowel obstruction involves laparotomy. The laparoscopic approach has not been favoured due to the presumed increased risk of bowel injury. METHODS: A retrospective review of our experience of laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction was undertaken. Nine patients were identified from 1997 to 2003. The aetiology of obstruction was identified laparoscopically in all cases. Eight cases were caused by bands or local adhesions and one patient had a bezoar. RESULTS: Laparoscopic treatment was successful in 78% of patients including one laparoscopy-assisted procedure. Conversion to laparotomy was performed in two patients, one due to difficult adhesiolysis and one due to iatrogenic bowel injury during adhesiolysis. The mean operating time was 74 minutes. There were no postoperative complications and the mean length of hospital stay was 4.3 days. CONCLUSION: This small series demonstrates that laparoscopy can serve as a good diagnostic tool as well as treatment of acute small bowel obstruction. In an appropriately selected patient, laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction is a feasible therapeutic approach and appears to convey the benefits of a short postoperative hospital stay, reduced postoperative complications and possibly reduced subsequent adhesion formation.     

腹腔镜治疗粘连性肠梗阻23例报告

目的探讨腹腔镜松解粘连性肠梗阻的效果。方法回顾性分析中国医科大学附属第二医院自1999~2005年因粘连性肠梗阻行腹腔镜松解术23例的临床资料。结果病人均治愈。术中平均出血量10mL,术后平均住院时间4d,术后无并发症,随访至今无复发。结论腹腔镜肠粘连松解术创口小、腹膜创面少、操作轻柔、腹腔干扰少,能较大限度地减少术后腹腔内再粘连,为粘连性肠梗阻的外科治疗提供了一种新方法。     

Phytobezoar: an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction.

Phytobezoars are an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. We report 13 patients presenting with 16 episodes of small bowel obstruction from phytobezoars. Eleven patients had previously undergone surgery for peptic ulceration (eight truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty). A history of ingestion of persimmon fruit was common and the majority of cases presented in the autumn when this fruit is in season. One phytobezoar causing obstruction at the third part of the duodenum was removed by endoscopic fragmentation, while an episode of jejunal obstruction was precipitated by endoscopic fragmentation of a gastric bezoar. Twelve patients underwent surgery for obstruction on 15 occasions, with milking of the phytobezoar to the caecum performed in ten, enterotomy and removal in four and resection in one patient. Associated gastric phytobezoars were found in two cases and multiple small bowel bezoars in two other cases. These were removed to prevent recurrent obstruction. Phytobezoar should be considered preoperatively as a cause of obstruction in patients with previous ulcer surgery. Wherever possible milking of a phytobezoar to the caecum should be performed. Careful assessment for other phytobezoars should be made. Prevention of phytobezoars is dependent upon dietary counselling of patients by surgeons after gastric resection or vagotomy and drainage for peptic ulcer.     

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND: Historically, laparotomy and open adhesiolysis have been the treatment for patients requiring surgery for small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis has not gained wide acceptance. The indications and outcomes of laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction are not well established. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction and to discuss patient selection, surgical technique, and outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Medline search from 1980 to 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adhesiolysis has been shown to be safe and feasible in experienced hands. For selected patients, laparoscopic adhesiolysis offers the advantages of decreased length of stay, faster return to full activity, and decreased morbidity. Patient selection and surgical judgment appear to be the most important factors for a successful outcome.     

Elective laparoscopy for small bowel obstruction

We performed elective laparoscopic adhesiolysis in 21 patients with small bowel obstruction. The procedure was completely laparoscopic or laparoscopy assisted in 17 patients, but 4 patients required full laparotomy due to internal hernia in 2, perforation of the small bowel associated with dense adhesions in 1, and carcinoma of the cecum in 1. In patients with a laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted procedure, the mean operating time, mean time until the return of bowel function, and mean postoperative stay were 94 minutes, 3.3 days, and 9.9 days, respectively. During follow-up for 14 to 44 months, 3 patients developed recurrent obstruction, 1 patient suffered from catheter-induced thrombosis, and 1 patient died from lung cancer. Elective laparoscopy can be performed safely and effectively in selected patients with intermittent small bowel obstruction.     

Laparoscopic approach to postoperative adhesive obstruction

Background Some authors have assessed the feasibility of laparoscopy in the treatment of postoperative adhesive obstruction, but conclusions about its effectiveness are related to different selection criteria used for surgery. This paper reports on our experience in laparoscopic adhesiolysis and analyses the results on the basis of the selection criteria used.Methods From January 1993 to December 2001, 65 patients were submitted to laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction according to specific selection criteria. Of the 65 patients, 40 were admitted for acute obstruction and 25 for chronic or recurrent transit disturbances. Correlation between historical and clinical data and the results of surgical treatment were statistically analyzed.Results The procedure was completed by laparoscopy in 52 patients (conversion rate: 20%). Mean postoperative stay was 4.4 days with a 12.3% morbidity and no mortality. Recurrence rate was 15.4%; a single correlation was found between recurrence and age.Conclusions Laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of small bowel obstructions seems to be effective; further studies are required to define selection criteria for surgery and confirm real advantages in terms of recurrences.     

Laparoscopic approach to small bowel obstruction

Historically, laparotomy and open adhesiolysis have been the treatment of choice for patients requiring surgery with small bowel obstruction (SBO), although laparotomy itself is an independent risk factor for bowel obstruction. Laparoscopy is known to create fewer intra-abdominal adhesions than open laparotomy. The observation that many patients with SBO have isolated adhesive bands has led to the use of laparoscopy as primary treatment of SBO by some authors. Although the laparoscopic approach to SBO has been described, the outcomes and indications are not well established. We will review the available literature regarding the laparoscopic approach to SBO. Additionally, we will describe the technique and make recommendations regarding which patients may be best suited for a trial of laparoscopy for adhesiolysis.     

The role of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of patients with chronic abdominal pain or recurrent bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Major abdominal operations result in random and unpredictable scar tissue formation. Intraabdominal scar tissue may contribute to recurrent episodes of bowel obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, or both. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis may provide relief of symptoms in patients with prior abdominal surgery with chronic abdominal pain or recurrent bowel obstruction. METHODS: Between September 1996 and April 1999, 35 patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis. Fifteen of the patients had adhesiolysis in conjunction with other major laparoscopic procedures and were excluded from the study. Twenty of the patients who underwent adhesiolysis only were retrospectively assessed for symptomatic relief as well as peri-operative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Two of 20 patients were not available for long-term follow-up. In the 18 remaining patients, laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed on 13 patients with abdominal pain and 5 patients with recurrent bowel obstruction. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 32 (mean 11) months. Sixteen of the 18 (88.9%) operations were completed laparoscopically. Two operations were converted to open for partial enterectomy. An additional enterotomy was repaired laparoscopically. All 3 operative complications were encountered in patients operated on during hospitalization for active bowel obstruction. No mortalities or blood transfusions occurred. One patient required rehospitalization for nonoperative management of an intraabdominal hematoma. Fourteen of the 18 (77.8%) had subjective improvement in their quality of life after operation. Only 1 patient has required repeat adhesiolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adhesiolysis is a safe and effective management option for patients with prior abdominal surgery with chronic abdominal pain or recurrent bowel obstruction not attributed to other intraabdominal pathology. Laparoscopic intervention in patients with active bowel obstruction may increase the risk of operative complications.     

Limited-conversion technique: a safe and viable alternative to conversion in laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair

BACKGROUND: During laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair (LVIHR), conversion to conventional (open) technique is required when safe adhesiolysis is not possible, incarcerated bowel in hernial sac cannot be reduced or for repair of iatrogenic enterotomies. A formal laparotomy in these circumstances entails significant morbidity due to factors such as wound infection, prolonged immobility, and longer hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period between 1994 and 2007, 1,503 LVIHRs were performed at our centre following a standardized protocol by five consultants and fellows. Out of these, 6 patients had a formal laparotomy in the initial part of our experience and 26 patients had a limited conversion to facilitate completion of LVIHR. We have devised the term "limited conversion" for the procedure wherein bowel reduction/adhesiolysis/enterotomy repair was performed through a small targeted skin incision. This was followed by laparoscopic placement of intraperitoneal mesh. RESULTS: Conversion to an open procedure was required in 32 (2.1%) out of 1,503 LVIHR procedures. Twenty-six patients underwent a limited conversion and completion of the repair by laparoscopy. All but one of these patients had intraperitoneal placement of mesh by laparoscopic route. The wound complication rate was 3.8% (one patient), the mean hospital stay was 2.1 days, and mean operative time was 124 min. CONCLUSION: Limited conversion offers a safe alternative to a formal laparotomy in patients with bowel incarcerated in hernial sacs or in patients requiring extensive bowel adhesiolysis. Patient morbidity is reduced due to the targeted skin incision whilst retaining several advantages of a minimal access approach viz. laparoscopic evaluation of the entire abdominal wall and placement of a large intraperitoneal prosthesis.     

三阶段微创治疗急性粘连性肠梗阻

目的:建立分阶段中西医结合与腹腔镜微创手术联合治疗急性粘连性肠梗阻的方案,并探讨此方案的治疗效果。方法:将1997年10月至2004年12月急性粘连性肠梗阻173例患者分为三个阶段进行中西医结合微创联合治疗。第1阶段:急性期中西医结合非手术治疗解除梗阻,未解除梗阻者行急症腹腔镜探查或剖腹手术。第2阶段:缓解期行腹腔镜肠粘连松解术,去除引起肠梗阻的病因。第3阶段:是疗效巩固期,用中药治疗以避免术后粘连性肠梗阻再发。结果:术后随访,三阶段联合治疗71例,复发4例(5.6%);单纯中西医结合非手术治疗39例,复发24例(61.5%);开腹行肠粘连松解术15例,复发5例(33.3%)。急症腹腔镜手术15例,中转开腹7例(46.7%),发生并发症6例(40%);择期腹腔镜手术77例,中转开腹6例(7.8%),发生并发症6例(7.8%)。结论:分阶段中西医结合微创联合治疗急性粘连性肠梗阻的效果明显优于单一治疗方式。     

Laparoscopic management of adhesive small bowel obstruction

Adhesions from prior surgery are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO) in the Western world. Although laparoscopic adhesiolysis can be performed safely and effectively, the indications and contraindications to the use of laparoscopic techniques in SBO are not clearly defined. The goal of our study was to determine the outcomes of the laparoscopic approach to SBO and discuss patient considerations for its utilization. We retrospectively surveyed all patients undergoing laparoscopic or attempted laparoscopic adhesiolysis performed by the authors between July 1997 and March 2006. Data obtained included patient demographics, clinical and radiologic presentation, and intraoperative and postoperative course. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis secondary to a SBO. Mean age was 53.6 years (range, 29-84 years) and 64 per cent (21 of 33) were female. Mean body mass index was 30.0 kg/m2 (range, 22.6-46.1 kg/m2). Thirty-one patients (93.9%) had undergone between one and four abdominal surgeries and seven (21.2%) had a previous episode of SBO. There were no patients with peritonitis. Abdominal CT scan was performed preoperatively in 27 patients (81.8%). Laparoscopy diagnosed the site of obstruction in all patients. Twenty-nine patients (88%) were successfully treated laparoscopically. Conversion to laparotomy was required in four cases as a result of dense adhesions and/or a lack of working space. Mean procedural time was 101 minutes (range, 19-198 minutes). There was one intraoperative complication (enterotomy), which was repaired laparoscopically and did not require conversion. Conversion was associated with significantly increased procedural time (129 versus 93 minutes; P = 0.02), but not blood loss or complications. Average times to passage of flatus and first bowel movement were 2.3 days (range, 0.5-5 days) and 3.2 days (range, 1-6 days), respectively. Seven patients (21.2%) had postoperative complications, including wound infection, urinary tract infection, and acute renal insufficiency, all of which occurred in patients completed laparoscopically. One patient had a recurrent SBO 8 months postoperatively managed by repeat laparoscopic lysis of adhesions. Mean postoperative stay was 6 days (range, 1-19 days). There was no hospital mortality. Laparoscopy is safe and feasible in the management of acute SBO in selected patients. It is an excellent diagnostic tool and is therapeutic in most cases.     

Laparoscopic lysis of adhesions

The surgical treatment of small bowel obstruction is evolving. Laparoscopic exploration and adhesiolysis is increasingly being utilized. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who were operated on and discharged with the diagnosis of adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction (SBO) from July 1999 to October 2000 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. There were a total of 75 patients. Patients were grouped based on the type of operation: laparoscopic (lap), open, and converted. Thirty-four patients were attempted laparoscopically, 11 of those requiring conversion to open. Fifty-two patients were treated with a laparotomy. Complications contributing to morbidity were significantly lower in the lap group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in morbidity between the converted and open groups. There were fewer pneumonias and wound infections in the lap group when compared to the open group, although it did not reach statistical difference. The reduction of post-op ileus in the lap group was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences between the lap and open groups were also found in estimated blood loss (EBL) (P < 0.004), length of stay (LOS) (P < 0.01), bowel resection (P < 0.01) and op-time (P < 0.003). Laparoscopic release of adhesions is a viable option in the surgical management of small bowel obstruction. A prospective randomized trial comparing both surgical techniques is needed to further validate the laparoscopic approach to small bowel obstruction.     

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis: not for all patients,not for all surgeons,not in all centres

ASBO is a common cause of emergency surgery and the use of laparoscopy for the treatment of these patients is still under debate and conflicting results have been published, in particular regarding the high risk of iatrogenic bowel injury. In fact, although over the last few years there has been an increasing enthusiasm in the surgical community about the advantages and potential better outcomes of laparoscopic management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO), recently published studies have introduced a significant word of caution. From 2011 in our centre, we have started to systematically approach ASBO in carefully selected patients with a step-by-step standardized laparoscopic procedure, developed and performed by a single operator experienced in emergency laparoscopy, collecting data in a prospective database. Inclusion criteria were: stable patients (without diffuse peritonitis and/or septic shock with suspicion of bowel perforation), CT scan findings consistent with a clear transition point and therefore suspected to have a single obstructing adhesive band. Patients with diffuse SB distension in the absence of a well-defined transition point and suspected to have diffuse matted adhesions (based on their surgical history and radiological findings) should be initially managed conservatively, including gastrografin challenge. Up to date, 83 patients were enrolled in the study. The rate of iatrogenic full-thickness bowel injury was 4/83 (4.8%); two of these cases were managed with simple repair and the other two required bowel resection and anastomosis. Conversion to open was performed in 3/4 of these cases, whereas in one a repair of the full-thickness injury was completed laparoscopically. All the iatrogenic injuries were detected intraoperatively and none of the reoperations that occurred in this series were due to missed bowel injuries. At 30 days follow-up, none reported incisional hernias or SSI or death. With the described accurate selection of patients, the use of such standardized step-by-step technique and in the presence of dedicated operating surgeons with advanced emergency surgery laparoscopic expertise, such procedure can be safe and feasible with multiple advantages in terms of morbidity and LOS. A careful preoperative selection of those patients who might be best candidates for laparoscopic adhesiolysis is needed. The level of laparoscopic expertise can also be highly variable, and not having advanced surgical expertise in the specific subspecialty of emergency laparoscopy, ultimately resulting in performing standardized procedures with proper careful and safe step-by-step technique, is highly recommended.     

腹腔镜诊断和治疗小肠不全梗阻的临床研究

目的探讨腹腔镜诊断和治疗小肠不全梗阻的可行性、有效性及安全性。方法回顾性分析我院2003年2月-2007年6月因小肠梗阻接受腹腔镜治疗53例的临床资料。结果本组53例中，完成腹腔镜肠粘连分解术33例；行腹腔镜肠粘连分解术及相应肠道手术18例，其中，纯腹腔镜手术11例，腹腔镜下切口定位并开放手术7例。中转开腹手术2例。腹腔镜探查诊断率达98．11％。术后有8例发生不同类型的并发症。结论腹腔镜诊断和治疗小肠不全梗阻是安全、可行的，可以选择性应用于部分小肠不全梗阻病例。