[Application of laparoscopic technique in gastrointestinal surgery].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of gastrointestinal procedures guided by laparoscopy in 42 patients aged from 18 to 86 years.

METHODS

We performed 10 Billroth II gastrectomies, 10 resections of gastric benign tumor, 11 repairs of duodenal perforation, 2 highly selective vagotomies, 5 resections of small bowel, 3 adhesiolyses of small bowel and 1 ileocolectomy. The operations were performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and through four portals (10mm). The omentum and mesentery were mobilized with an electrocautery and vessels controlled with either Endoclip or ELC. The reconstructions of the digestive tract were performed entirely intraabdominally with ELC.

RESULTS

Except one patient receiving Billroth II gastrectomy complicated with postoperative bleeding had to be reoperated, the remaining 41 patients were successfully treated. All the 41 patients could walk and take fluids on the second postoperative day. The average length of hospitalization after operation was 7.5 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic gastrointestinal procedures for selected cases can be carried out safely and effectively with decreased postoperative pain and rapid recovery. It may change the surgical management of some benign gastrointestinal diseases.