[Second look laparoscopy after mesenteric infarct]

Second-look laparotomy is not always routinely performed after mesenteric infarction. Such operations are often not performed because of the high operative risk in aged patients and those with cardiovascular disease. We developed a minimally invasive technique for second-look laparoscopy with the aim of decreasing the operative morbidity. With the patient under general anaesthesia, the old incision is opened at the umbilicus. The running suture in the abdominal wall is lifted with a clamp and the incision line is gently reopened. A trocar with a blunt tip designed for open laparoscopy is then inserted and fixed. Following insufflation of CO2 through the trocar it is possible to explore the entire small bowel and colon. We operated on five patients after bowel resection performed for mesenteric infarction. Second-look laparoscopy was diagnostic in all but one, in whom laparoscopy failed due to massive small bowel dilatation. The technique described here is very promising and deserves further evaluation.