[Laparoscopic colostomy: experience in patients with ovarian or ano-rectal cancer, non-operable or with rectovaginal fistula].

Between August 1995 and May 2001 laparoscopic colostomy was successfully carried out in 23 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, inoperable carcinoma of the anorectum or rectovaginal fistulas. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications and postoperative recovery was rapid with all patients having function of the colostomy within 24 hrs and regaining their preoperative state of mobility on the second postoperative day. The laparoscopic approach allows the careful selection of the colostomy site, easy mobilisation of the colon, causing only little disruption to the intestinal function hence improving postoperative recovery. From Authors' experience, laparoscopic colostomy is a simple and safe operation in most cases and can be used as the preferred technique of intestinal diversion.