Role of laparoscopy in peritonitis

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Gastroenterology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Conventional open surgery for peritonitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Laparoscopy has demonstrated clinical acceptance across various surgical subspecialties.
• Evaluating the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in peritonitis patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend and evaluate the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for peritonitis.
• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in peritonitis.
• To compare laparoscopic outcomes with traditional open surgery for peritonitis.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study over four years including hemodynamically stable peritonitis patients.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy performed under general anesthesia using standard ports.
• Data collection and analysis of operative and postoperative outcomes.

Main Results:

• Ninety-two patients underwent laparoscopic procedures for peritonitis.
• Successful laparoscopic management for perforated duodenal, appendix, and ileal perforations.
• Pelvic sepsis cases managed with aspiration and lavage; low rates of mortality (1%), fistula (2.1%), and port site infection (6.5%).

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic management of peritonitis is feasible, safe, and effective in properly selected cases.
• Laparoscopy offers a higher diagnostic yield and faster postoperative recovery.
• Minimally invasive surgery presents a valuable alternative for abdominal emergencies causing peritonitis.