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Use of the laparoscope to perform intraoperative enteroscopy
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India.
Background:
In a small number of patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, standard diagnostic studies fail to identify the source. Intraoperative enteroscopy is useful in these cases. Usually a colonoscope is used to perform peroperative enteroscopy.
Method:
We describe the technique that we use to perform intraoperative enteroscopy via a laparoscope.
Results:
The bleeding site was identified in two of three cases. In one patient, a vascular malformation in the proximal jejunum was found. In the other, an ulceronodular lesion was seen in the midjejunum.
Conclusion:
The laparoscope can be used successfully to visualize the entire small bowel in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.