Assessment of risk for intra-abdominal adhesions at laparoscopy for urological tumors

Abdominal wall adhesions at laparoscopy may predispose patients to access related injuries and increase the complexity of the procedure. We have observed concern from referring physicians regarding the safety of laparoscopy in patients who previously underwent surgery because of the risk of abdominal adhesions. To assess the risk of adhesions at laparoscopy a retrospective cohort study was performed.

All patients who underwent a transperitoneal urological laparoscopic procedure in a 6-year period at our institution were included in this study. A chart review was performed to obtain demographic/surgical data and identify preoperative risk factors for adhesions, such as previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, radiation and/or intra-abdominal inflammatory disease. Operative videotapes were reviewed to determine the presence and location of adhesions. Standard statistical analyses were performed.

During the study period 127 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopy and videotapes on 82 (65%) were available for review. A total of 44 patients (54%) were identified with preoperative risk factors for adhesions (group 1), while 38 (46%) had no risk factors (group 2). The relative risk of adhesions was 1.34 (95% CI 0.89 to 2.01, p = 0.18) when risk factors were identified. There were no differences in the groups in patient age, operative time, access technique, conversion to open surgery or complications. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in group 2, likely due to the preponderance of cytoreductive laparoscopic nephrectomy in this group.

There was no difference in the risk of intra-abdominal adhesions in patients with and without identifiable preoperative risk factors. Preoperative risk factors for adhesions should not contraindicate the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach for urological oncology procedures.