Small-bowel occlusion after operative laparoscopy: our experience and review of the literature

Bowel complications as a consequence of laparoscopic surgery are usually due to direct injuries; on the other hand, bowel occlusion is a rarely described event. We have retrospectively analyzed our data in this field. Out of 2652 laparoscopies performed between July 1996 and March 2000, three cases of small-bowel occlusion were observed. Two cases were due to bowel hernia through a 5-mm trocar port incision, the third was a consequence of an adhesion between the ileum and lost fragment of myoma. Two cases were treated laparoscopically, while in the third a laparotomy was required. At the time of writing, all the patients are well after a mean follow-up of 6 months. It appears important to also perform closure of the fascia and peritoneum after a 5-mm trocar port incision where there has been extensive manipulation.