Bowel obstruction is a frequent complication that exhibits variable clinical presentation and high morbidity. After conservative measures, laparotomy is performed for final diagnosis and treatment in a large number of patients. Besides the benefits of the laparoscopic approach in the management of many diseases, its use during the initial evaluation of bowel obstruction has been limited and has raised some criticism. However, experience with method and technological-instrumental advances in recent years has facilitated the treatment of a greater number of patients with obstruction. Thus, the development of new instruments such as laparoscopic staplers, less traumatic clamps and trocars had an important role in the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach in this setting. In this article, the authors present a revision about the use of video-surgery in selected cases of intestinal obstruction, standing out the contribution of minimally invasive methods for the diagnosis and therapeutics of this important complication.
Intestinal obstruction; Laparoscopy; Surgical treatment; Adhesions