REPEATED CLINIC LAPAROSCOPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF PELVIC ADHESIONS - APILOT-STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of repeat outpatient laparoscopy following laparoscopic lysis of extensive pelvic adhesive disease in a standard operating room setting. Methods: In a pilot stu dy, eight patients with chronic pelvic pain associated with severe pel vic and abdominal adhesive disease underwent standard operative laparo scopic adhesiolysis. Tenckhoff catheters were placed in the abdominal wall during the procedure to allow repeat laparoscopy in an outpatient clinic setting with a 2-mm laparoscope. Successful adhesiolysis was d ocumented in follow-up laparoscopy with the Optical Catheter System, p erformed 3 months later in four patients. Results: Laparoscopy via the Tenckhoff catheters was accomplished in 26 of 32 attempts (81.3%). On e patient had re-forming adhesions lysed with the Optical Catheter Sys tem. Simultaneous vaginal ultrasound enhanced visualization of the cul -de-sac. Conclusions: Outpatient clinic laparoscopy with a 2-mm laparo scope may prove practical for general diagnostic purposes. If validate d in controlled trials with larger populations, the procedure may be a n effective treatment of pelvic adhesive disease.