Laparoscopy for Treatment of Urachal Fistula:Report of 15 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the efficacy and superiority of laparoscopy for the treatment of urachal fistula.Methods From January 2003 to March 2007,15 patients with urachal fistula received resection of the urachus in our hospital by laparoscopy with three trocar technique.The urachus was resected by clipping both the ends with Hem-o-lok and then cutting by ultrasonic scalpel.Frozen section examination of the resected tissues were carried out during the surgery.Results All the operations were completed under a laparoscope without conversions to open surgery.The operation time ranged from 25 to 50 minutes(mean,30 minutes).The intraoperative blood loss was 10 to 20 ml.The patients were discharged form hospital 2 to 4 days after the operation(mean,3 days).Among our cases,12 achieved a mean of 25.3 months follow-up(2 to 50 months),during this period none of them developed infections,recurrence,or carcinomatous changes.Conclusions Laparoscopy is feasible for urachal fistula.The method is simple and minimal invasive with good cosmetic outcomes and results in quick recovery.