The aim of the study was to show the diagnostic potential of laparoscopy using fluorescein dye and ultraviolet light in acute bowel ischemia.The method was in all cases able to recognize intestinal ischemia and reliably differentiate ischemic bowel segments from viable bowel. Microscopic analysis of the ischemic specimens showed beginning ischemic changes of the bowel tissues.
The method should be considered a valuable dianostic procedure both for diagnostics of early stage of acute bowel ischemia and for second-look procedures.