Use of laparoscopic equipment for colonoscopy intraoperatively in case of lack of colonoscope.

ABSTRACT

In the case where intraoperative endoscopy is necessary and there is no endoscope available in the hospital, there is a solution, the use of available laparoscopic equipment. The technique is simple and without being time consuming. All its needed is a laparoscopic video- camera, and laparoscopic ports. The whole procedure takes place in the surgical field and provides an immediate solution for the endoscopic inspection of stomach, small intestine and large intestine. We describe the first case where it takes place in an open right colectomy in a patient with colon cancer and a suspicious lesion at the left colon. Further studies are needed to evaluate the indications and the effectiveness of the method.