Role of microlaparoscopy in the diagnosis of peritoneal and visceral adhesions and in the prevention of bowel injury associated with blind trocar insertion
Ajm. Audebert et V. Gomel, Role of microlaparoscopy in the diagnosis of peritoneal and visceral adhesions and in the prevention of bowel injury associated with blind trocar insertion, FERT STERIL, 73(3), 2000, pp. 631-635
Objective: To determine the frequency of peritoneal and visceral adhesions
to the umbilical region according to past surgical history and to estimate
the risk of bowel injury with blind insertion of the principal trocar-cannu
la.
Design: Prospective, unicentric study by a single operator.
Setting: Clinique Saint-Sernin and Polyclinique de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Fran
ce.
Patient(s): Eight hundred fourteen patients undergoing diagnostic or operat
ive laparoscopy were classified into four groups based on their history of
abdominal surgery: group I (n = 469), no previous abdominal surgery; group
II (n = 125), prior laparoscopic surgery; group III (n = 131), previous lap
arotomy with a horizontal supra-pubic incision; group IV (n = 89), previous
laparotomy with a midline incision.
Intervention(s): Initial microlaparoscopy performed through the left upper
quadrant of the abdomen, inspection of the anterior abdominal wall and part
icularly the umbilical area for the presence of adhesions. Patients who had
adhesions were assessed as to whether or not they were at significant risk
of injury from blind insertion of the principal trocar.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Incidence of umbilical adhesions and the potential
risk of bowel injury with blind insertion of the umbilical (principal) tro
car.
Result(s): Umbilical adhesions were found in 9.82% of the 814 cases. The ra
tes of umbilical adhesions were as follows: group I, 0.68%; group II, 1.6%;
group III, 19.8%; and group IV, 51.7%. Severe adhesions with potential ris
k of bowel injury with blind insertion of the umbilical trocar in the four
groups were 0.42%, 0.80%, 6.87%, and 31.46%, respectively.
Conclusion(s): Women with previous laparotomy have a higher incidence of um
bilical adhesions, especially in case of midline incision. Preliminary insp
ection of the umbilical area with a microlaparoscope and insertion of the u
mbilical trocar under direct vision are recommended for patients at risk fo
r adhesions to reduce complications associated with insertion of the princi
pal (umbilical) trocar. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medic
ine.