Intraoperative gastrointestinal endoscopy

• Published in: Annals of surgery 1980-06, Vol.191 (6), p.680-687
• Main Authors: Bowden, Jr, T A, Hooks, 3rd, V H, Mansberger, Jr, A R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Ampulla of Vater; Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnosis; Carcinoma - diagnosis; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Duodenal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Endoscopy; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous - diagnosis; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal Diseases - surgery; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Humans; Lipoma - diagnosis; Male; Middle Aged; Polyps - diagnosis; Rectum; Sigmoid Neoplasms - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0003-4932; 1528-1140
• DOI: 10.1097/00000658-198006000-00004

A four year experience with the adaptation of the flexible fiberoptic endoscope to the intraoperative environment is presented in 30 patients. The technique of intraoperative endoscopy was utilized in a wide variety of difficult gastrointestinal surgical problems to include the location of the site and cause of bleeding of obscure etiology; resolution of intraoperative dilemmas without the necessity of opening abdominal viscera; resection of lesions during operations conducted for other pathological processes; and enhancement of diagnosis at laparotomy. There were no complications from the use of intraoperative endoscopy and the technique was beneficial in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%). Limiting factors in the full utilization of the endoscope at celiotomy were dense adhesions with a shortened mesentery and massive hemorrhage with blood obscuring the intestinal lumen.