INCOMPLETE ILEUS CAUSED BY CARCINOID-TUMO R OF THE SMALL-BOWEL - LIMITS OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC OPERATION TECHNIQUE

A patient with small bowel obstruction is presented. Separating adhesi ons at the terminal ileum laparoscopically a carcinoid tumour at Bauhi n's valve was overlooked. Two weeks later the patient was resubmitted because of obstructive problems and the tumour was diagnosed at a conv entional laparotomy. Basing on this case problems of laparoscopic trea tment of bowel obstruction are discussed in general, and in special th e decreased tactile abilities of the surgeon are mentioned.