Abstract
[Purpose] An important part of an examination for an intestinal obstruction is early confirmation of the presence of strangulation. However, no reliable method for that has been reported. For such cases, we generally perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, as it is considered to be the most simple and reliable means available to directly observe the abdominal cavity. ［Subjects］ We investigated 27 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery as a first choice procedure and received a definitive diagnosis of strangulating intestinal obstruction in the period from January 2009 to September 2013. The diagnostic rate, operative procedure, and peri-and postoperative courses were noted. [Results] Twenty-two of the patients received a definitive diagnosis from laparoscopic findings. For the operative procedure, 11 underwent total laparoscopic surgery and 16 had conversion from a laparoscopic technique to open surgery. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients, none of which was related to the laparoscopy procedure. Laparoscopic surgery was found to be less invasive than open surgery performed during the same period. [Conclusion] Laparoscopic surgery was shown to be minimally invasive, safe, and useful for diagnosis and treatment of strangulating intestinal obstructions.
