Laparoscopy in Abdominal Emergencies. Romanian Association for Endoscopic Surgery Consensus. Part I (Trauma)

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Emergency Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopy offers diagnostic and therapeutic benefits for acute abdominal pathologies.
• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly vital in emergency surgical settings.
• This consensus focuses on laparoscopic utilization in trauma emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish evidence-based guidance for surgeons on laparoscopy in emergency settings.
• To provide specific recommendations for laparoscopic use in trauma cases.
• To address key issues in the application of laparoscopy for acute abdominal trauma.

Main Methods:

• Formation of expert task forces and a panel.
• Extensive literature review across major medical databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE).
• Delphi technique for defining questions, formulating consensus statements, and achieving expert agreement.
• GRADE system used for rating evidence quality and recommendation strength.

Main Results:

• Seven consensus recommendations were developed for the trauma section.
• Expert panel agreement was achieved for all trauma-related statements.
• Key recommendations cover surgeon training, indications/contraindications, and management of conversions and complications in trauma laparoscopy.

Conclusions:

• The RAES consensus provides essential guidelines for surgeons using laparoscopic techniques in acute abdominal conditions.
• These guidelines aim to standardize and improve the application of laparoscopy in emergency trauma care.
• The consensus emphasizes the importance of training and evidence-based practice in emergency laparoscopy.