LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

Abstract

Acute small bowel obstruction is commonly due to band adhesions. In the past it has had an overall mortality rate of up to 11% for elderly patients. In this paper we report three cases of small bowel obstruction, treated by laparoscopic division of the causative bands. All patients recovered rapidly and were discharged within 5 days of surgery.