A Agarwal1. 1. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In a small number of patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, standard diagnostic studies fail to identify the source. Intraoperative enteroscopy is useful in these cases. Usually a colonoscope is used to perform peroperative enteroscopy. METHOD: We describe the technique that we use to perform intraoperative enteroscopy via a laparoscope. RESULTS: The bleeding site was identified in two of three cases. In one patient, a vascular malformation in the proximal jejunum was found. In the other, an ulceronodular lesion was seen in the midjejunum. CONCLUSION: The laparoscope can be used successfully to visualize the entire small bowel in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
BACKGROUND: In a small number of patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, standard diagnostic studies fail to identify the source. Intraoperative enteroscopy is useful in these cases. Usually a colonoscope is used to perform peroperative enteroscopy. METHOD: We describe the technique that we use to perform intraoperative enteroscopy via a laparoscope. RESULTS: The bleeding site was identified in two of three cases. In one patient, a vascular malformation in the proximal jejunum was found. In the other, an ulceronodular lesion was seen in the midjejunum. CONCLUSION: The laparoscope can be used successfully to visualize the entire small bowel in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.