Indications for the laparoscopic approach to acute small bowel obstruction: A retrospective review of 50 cases, a literature review, and a single hospital's preliminary experience.

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is mainly caused by postoperative adhesions, but a broad spectrum of diseases may cause this pathogenetic condition. Laparoscopic treatment represents an efficient approach to SBO. The aim of this paper was to review a single center's experience with a minimally invasive approach to multiple pathologic scenarios causing SBO. From January 2010 to December 2012, 50 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for mechanical SBO. In 90% of patients, the surgical procedure was totally laparoscopic, while 10% required conversion to midline laparotomy. In-hospital morbidity was 15% among totally laparoscopic patients and 40% among those who underwent conversion to midline laparotomy. Thirty-day mortality was zero. One patient died 4 months postoperatively from neoplastic disease progression; the remaining patients were free from occlusive symptoms at follow-up. The minimally invasive technique applies to a broad spectrum of cases. A larger cohort of patients seems necessary to reproduce our results and confirm the effectiveness of a laparoscopic approach to SBO.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a symptomatic cholelithiasis in a patient presenting situs viscerum inversus totalis. A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Situs Viscerum Inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare anomaly with genetic predisposition, in which organs are translated, completely or partially, on the opposite side of the body. Generally there are no organic dysfunctions. Situs Inversus can cause difficulties in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of abdominal diseases because of the mirror-like anatomy. On a clinical point of view the symptoms of cholelithiasis may be confused by the opposite position of the gall bladder CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 48 year old female latin-american with symptomatic cholelithiasis and Situs Viscerum Inversus Totalis, treated with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Videolaparoscopy represents the gold standard treatment in managing cholelithiasis in SIT patients. Surgical treatment can be facilitated in case of well-experienced operators, as it is well recognised a major difficulty for surgeons in managing the anatomical condition of SIT.