Laparoscopy-assisted sigmoid resection.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been widely accepted, and because of its many benefits, other intra-abdominal operations are now being done laparoscopically. We felt the next step in the evolution of laparoscopic surgery could be bowel resection. This paper presents two cases of laparoscopic sigmoid resection and a detailed description of the technique. Included in the technique is the use of prototype endoscopic stapling devices to divide the mesentery and bowel. The two most difficult technical decisions involved the methods for specimen removal and for completing the anastomosis. The specimen was removed through a muscle splitting incision in the left lower quadrant, positioned as a mirror image of a standard appendectomy incision. The anvil of the CEEA (end-to-end) stapler was also position in the proximal colon through this incision; the anastomosis was completed with the CEEA stapler.