[Laparoscopic adhesiolysis in acute small bowel obstruction]

Abstract

At the beginning of the laparoscopic surgery, intestinal obstruction was considered an absolute contraindication for this approach, because of the high risk of injuring the bowel. Today laparoscopic surgery for small bowel obstruction is still under evaluation. Adhesions are the most common cause of obstruction; although an important proportion of these patients can be nonoperatively treated, some of these require immediate operation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the reliability and immediate results of laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction by postoperative adhesions. Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction is feasible, but it is often difficult and may be hazardous. The patients with acute obstruction may be undergo laparoscopy after a careful selection. Morbidity is low if the operation is performed by skilled. The immediate benefit is rapid intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay. The long-term effect is the prevention of small bowel obstruction recurrences by new postoperative adhesions.