Laparoscopic Enterolysis for Chronic Abdominal Pain

ABSTRACT Many patients who have undergone multiple abdominal operations have significant pain related to abdominal or bowel adhesions. Laparoscopic attempts at treatment of these patients is risky and should be undertaken only after proper consultation and preparation for immediate bowel surgery. In a series of 42 patients (38 females, 4 males) treated laparoscopically between 1984 and 1988, only 2 required immediate laparotomy during laparoscopic attempts. At 3 months follow-up, 67% of the patients were improved, and 33% were not. Ten patients underwent later laparotomy because of persistence of symptoms. (J GYNECOL SURG 5:61, 1989)