Boris Kirshtein1, Sergey Domchik, Solly Mizrahi, Leonid Lantsberg. 1. Department of Surgery A Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel. borkirsh@bgu.ac.il
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is no unequivocal attitude to a laparoscopy as to the means in the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative surgical complications. Our study sought to determine the role of laparoscopy in the management of suspected postoperative complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the patients who underwent laparoscopy for complications of previous surgery over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent laparoscopy for complications during the study period including 49 laparoscopies, 14 laparotomies, and 1 endoscopic procedure. The median delay between operations was 2 +/- 4.5 days. In 18 (28.1%) patients, laparoscopy did not find intra-abdominal pathology. The conversion to open surgery was necessary in 9 (14.1%) patients. Seven patients underwent more than 1 relaparoscopy. No cases of misdiagnosis were observed. Morbidity was 12.5%. There was no laparoscopy-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an effective tool for the management of postoperative complications after open and laparoscopic surgery. It avoids diagnostic delay and unnecessary laparotomy.
BACKGROUND: There is no unequivocal attitude to a laparoscopy as to the means in the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative surgical complications. Our study sought to determine the role of laparoscopy in the management of suspected postoperative complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the patients who underwent laparoscopy for complications of previous surgery over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent laparoscopy for complications during the study period including 49 laparoscopies, 14 laparotomies, and 1 endoscopic procedure. The median delay between operations was 2 +/- 4.5 days. In 18 (28.1%) patients, laparoscopy did not find intra-abdominal pathology. The conversion to open surgery was necessary in 9 (14.1%) patients. Seven patients underwent more than 1 relaparoscopy. No cases of misdiagnosis were observed. Morbidity was 12.5%. There was no laparoscopy-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an effective tool for the management of postoperative complications after open and laparoscopic surgery. It avoids diagnostic delay and unnecessary laparotomy.
Authors: Diego Cuccurullo; Felice Pirozzi; Antonio Sciuto; Umberto Bracale; Camillo La Barbera; Francesco Galante; Francesco Corcione Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2014-10-08 Impact factor: 4.584