Related Experiment Videos
Laparoscopic surgery for lower gastrointestinal fistulas
J S Joo1, F Agachan, S D Wexner
1Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 3000 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, USA.
Surgical Endoscopy
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Laparoscopic surgery is feasible for simple lower gastrointestinal fistulas, showing comparable morbidity and hospitalization to standard procedures. However, the higher conversion rate highlights the complexity of these cases.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Laparoscopic surgery has advanced, reducing morbidity and expanding indications.
- Assessing the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal fistulas is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal fistulas.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of patients with gastrointestinal fistulas treated laparoscopically between March 1993 and March 1995.
- Data collected included demographics, diagnosis, procedure type, operative time, conversion rate, and postoperative outcomes.
Main Results:
- Ten patients with various fistulas (colocutaneous, enterocolic, pouch-vaginal, colofallopian, rectourethral, transsphincteric, enteroenteric, colovesical) underwent laparoscopic procedures.
- Mean operative time was 195 minutes, with a mean postoperative hospital stay of 6.1 days.
- A 10% morbidity rate and a 30% conversion rate to open surgery were observed.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a feasible option for simple lower gastrointestinal fistulas.
- Outcomes regarding morbidity and hospitalization are comparable to standard laparoscopic colorectal procedures.
- The higher conversion rate indicates the challenging nature of treating gastrointestinal fistulas laparoscopically.