Transmesenteric intestinal plication for intestinal occlusion secondary to disseminated adhesions. A 12-year experience

To report the experience with intestinal plication in patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction that was followed up to 12 years. To diminish the high recurrence rate of adhesive intestinal obstruction, there are surgical techniques of intestinal plication. In 1977 Blanco modified a pre-existing transmesenteric technique that is the used in our institution. We studied the medical records of 32 patients who underwent intestinal plication using the transmesenteric technique. The postoperative evaluation was based in recurrence and mortality. There were 32 patients, 56% women and 44% men, with a mean age of 50 years. All patients had a history of intraabdominal surgical procedures. The postoperative evaluation was satisfactory. The success rate was over 90%. The recurrence rate was 9.3% and we had no mortality. The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (median 3 [range 1-12] years). There were no significant differences between this technique and the Noble and Childs-Phillips plication techniques. This technique of intestinal plication is useful in the surgical management of patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction.