2008 Annual Meeting Abstracts
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Pneumatosis Coli: Resection of the Splenic Flexure with Intracorporeal Anastomosis
Melina C. Vassiliou*1, Douglas S. Smink2, Gina L. Adrales1
1General Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; 2General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Pneumatosis coli is a clinical problem that infrequently requires surgical treatment. This video describes laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure in a patient with symptomatic pneumatosis coli limited to this area. The decision to perform an intracorporeal anastomosis was based on body habitus and location of the diseased segment. Intracorporeal anastomosis requires less mobilization, limits the size of the extraction incision, and provides more flexibility when selecting the incision site. This video presentation briefly demonstrates mobilization of the left colon and splenic flexure and the creation of a side to side anastomosis entirely intracorporeally.
