[Value of laparoscopy in diagnosis and therapy of the acute abdomen]

While diagnostic laparoscopy is a well established tool, therapeutic laparoscopy for acute abdominal disorders has recently been made possible by video-endoscopic techniques. From July 1989 to April 1992, 243 laparoscopic interventions were carried out in patients with an acute abdomen. After a pilot phase, patients with acute appendicitis were entered into a randomized trial, those with acute cholecystitis were operated within the next day list. Among the 243 operations were 202 appendectomies, 12 closures of perforated peptic ulcers, 4 successful interventions for intestinal obstruction, 4 irrigations for intraabdominal abscesses and 35 further operations, some of which had to be finished as laparotomies. Laparoscopic appendectomy was less painful but technically more difficult. In cases which needed bowel resection for ischemic necrosis or diverticular disease, conversion to open surgery had to be performed. Laparoscopic treatment of acute abdominal disorders including peritonitis can be effective and beneficial in one out of two patients. Adequate surgical training, expertise and respect to the safety of the patient are mandatory. The application of endoscopic suture devices will further enlarge the spectrum of laparoscopic treatment options for the acute abdomen.