Laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute small bowel obstruction.

Abstract

The surgical correction of acute small bowel obstruction is conventionally performed through a vertical laparotomy incision. The increasing use of the laparoscope for elective general surgery has led to an increase in its use for the diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal conditions. The authors report five cases of acute small bowel obstruction treated with the aid of the laparoscope. All five patients were able to leave the hospital in the early postoperative period and remain symptom free. Laparoscopy is a useful technique in the management of selected cases of small bowel obstruction.