To explore whether transumbilical endoscopic surgery (TUES) can effectively and safely elucidate the causes of ascites of unknown origin. Methods: A total of 23 consecutive patients with ascites of unknown origin who undertook TUES procedures in the Department of Gastroenterology of The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2014 and January 2016 were retrospectively investigated. Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and findings from radiological examinations and endoscopic investigations were noted before the procedure. Conditions of the abdominal cavity under endoscope, final diagnosis and outcome of patients were carefully recorded. Results: TUES procedure was successfully performed in all 23 patients with an operation time of (58.2±13.9) min. Twenty-two patients were undertaken biopsy on the nodules or masses that found in the abdominal cavity. Definite diagnoses were established in the overwhelming majority of patients (22/23). The most common causes of ascites for the 23 cases was tuberculosis (8 cases), followed by peritoneal carcinomatosis (6 cases), and pseudomyxoma peritonei (5 cases). Operation-related complications, such as postoperative bleeding, perforation, peritonitis, intraabdominal chronic abscesses, were not observed, except one case showed a transient moderate fever in 24 hours after operation. No mortality related to TUES occurred. We concluded that TUES was a feasible, economic and minimally invasive approach to access the peritoneal cavity. Conclusion: TUES combinated with biopsy can effectively elucidate the causes of ascites of unknown origin.
目的：探讨经脐内镜手术(transumbilical endoscopic surgery，TUES)是否可有效、安全地应用于不明原因腹水的诊断。方法：回顾性分析了2014年1月至2016年1月在中南大学湘雅三医院消化内科应用TUES的23例不明原因腹水病例。收集治疗前患者的临床表现、实验室检查、放射学检查和内镜检查结果等资料，仔细记录内镜下腹腔的情况、最终诊断和预后。结果：23例患者均成功完成TUES，手术时间为(58.2±13.9) min。22名患者腹腔内发现结节或肿块并进行活检，明确病因，其中最常见的原因是结核病(8例)，其次是腹膜癌(6例)，腹膜假性黏液瘤(5例)。无1例发生术后出血、穿孔、腹膜炎、慢性腹腔脓肿等手术相关并发症，仅1例术后24 h出现短暂的中度发热；无1例发生与TUES相关的死亡。结论：TUES结合活组织检查可以有效地明确不明原因腹水的病因。.