Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure for intestinal malrotation in children / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility of laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure and its indications for intestinal malrotation accompanying midgut volvulus. Methods Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure was performed in 15 children from July 2002 to March 2006. The procedure was performed using three trocars. Under laparoscopic visualization, the midgut volvulus was untwisted by grasping and pulling the intestine, the Ladd’s band was divided and broadened, the duodenum and the small intestine were mobilized, and finally an appendectomy was performed through an abdominal wall port. Results Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure was completed successfully in the 15 children. Of them, 1 patient with duodenal web, 1 patient with paraduodenal hernia, and 1 patient with ectopic pancreas also had a concomitant procedure. The operative time was 45~150 min (mean, 75 min). The patients began to take food on 1~3 postoperative day. There was no surgical complications. The length of postoperative hospital stay ranged 4~6 days (mean, 5 days). Follow-up observations in 12 patients for 1~42 months (mean, 21 months) showed normal development and free of symptoms.Conclusions Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure is a safe and effective technique. It can be performed in neonates and applicable subacute midgut volvulus, but may be unadvisable for acute volvulus with abdominal distention.