Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction with associated intestinal ischemia

Obstruction is the most common surgical disorder of the small bowel. Complete small bowel obstruction (SBO) is usually treated surgically because bowel strangulation cannot be excluded with certainty. Acute SBO has been previously considered a relative contraindication for laparoscopic management especially due to the laparotomy conversion rate. We present a case of SBO for which laparoscopic management resulted in earlier return of bowel function, shorter hospital stay, faster overall recovery, and decreased morbidity when compared to laparotomy.