Role of Laparoscopy Procedure in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatic Acute Abdomen

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to analyze the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic acute abdomen. Materials and Methods: Cases of patients with traumatic acute abdomen from between 2009 and 2017 diagnosed with laparoscopy but not examination, laboratory tests, or radiological methods were reviewed. These were patients with unstable vital signs for whom time was critical. The patient demographic data, causes of acute abdomen, procedures applied, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: Of the total of 138 patients, the cause of admission was a traffic accident in 46 cases (33.33%), sharp object injury in 27 (19.56%), gunshot injury in 19 (13.76%), falling from a height in 16 (11.59%), work accident in 14 (10.14%), physical violence in 9 (6.92%), sports injury in 4 (2.89%), and an animal kick in 3 (2.17%). In all, 56 (40.58%) were female and 82 (59.42%) were male. The mean age was 27.45±9.81 years. Of the patients, 64 (46.38%) had only abdominal trauma, while 74 (53.62%) had multiple trauma. The procedures performed included 83 (60.14%) diagnostic laparoscopies, 30 (21.74%) laparoscopies with additional laparoscopic procedures, and 25 (18.11%) instances of post-laparoscopy open surgery. In the group, 113 (81.88%) were discharged after healing; morbidity and mortality were observed in 21 (15.22%) and 4 (2.89%), respectively. The mean hospital stay was 2.82±1.64 days in patients with only abdominal trauma and 4.34±2.08 days in those with multiple trauma. Conclusion: Laparoscopy contributes significantly to the diagnosis and treatment of selected patients.