Intraabdominal adhesions: intraoperative US.

Intraoperative ultrasound (US) was used to help locate the bowel, liver, and spleen in dense abdominal adhesions in 30 patients who were undergoing repeated laparotomy and had undergone previous surgery for various conditions. US helped determine the correct location of these organs in 49 abdominal adhesions. The authors conclude that in patients who have undergone previous surgery, intraoperative US can aid the distinction of tissue planes that can then be safely transected from vital abdominal organs.