LAPAROSCOPIC LOOP COLOSTOMY FOR ADVANCED OVARIAN-CANCER, RECTAL-CANCER AND RECTOVAGINAL FISTULAS

Between August 1995 and July 1997 laparoscopic colostomy was successfu lly carried out in 10 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, inoperabl e carcinoma of the rectum or rectovaginal fistulae. There were no intr aoperative or postoperative complications and postoperative recovery w as rapid with all patients having function of the colostomy within 24 h and regaining their preoperative state of mobility on the second pos toperative day. The laparoscopic approach allows the careful selection of the colostomy site, easy mobilisation of the colon causing only li ttle disruption to the intestinal function and hence, improving postop erative recovery. From our experience, laparoscopic colostomy is a sim ple and safe operation in most cases and can be used as the preferred technique of intestinal diversion. The technical features of laparosco pic colostomy are described.