Diagnostic laparoscopy in women with acute abdominal pain

Nineteen women with acute lower abdominal pain of uncertain etiology underwent diagnostic laparoscopy during a 2-year period from August 1991 to August 1993 and were retrospectively reviewed. All patients, aged 12 to 44 years, were premenopausal. Laparoscopy provided definitive diagnosis in all 19 patients. Laparoscopic findings included appendicitis (11 cases), pelvic inflammatory disease (five cases), significant ovarian cysts (two cases), and ectopic pregnancy (one case). Successful laparoscopic procedures included appendectomy (five cases), and salpingo-oophorectomy (one case). Five patients required only diagnostic laparoscopy. Eight patients required conversion to an open procedure because of anatomical considerations (six cases) or equipment failure (two cases). Median operative time was 71 min, and median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. Most diagnostic procedures were performed on the same day as admission, resulting in a median hospital stay of 3 days. Diagnostic laparoscopy performed in premenopausal female patients with acute lower abdominal pain of unknown etiology provides diagnostic accuracy as well as therapeutic capabilities and prevents unnecessary laparotomy.