The influence of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy on patients presenting with an acute abdomen

The role of laparoscopy in the management of patients presenting to one surgical firm with an acute abdomen is discussed. Sixty-seven laparoscopies have been performed over an 18 month period and it has altered the diagnosis in 19.4% of cases and the management in 13.4% of cases. At laparoscopy the diagnosis of appendicitis was made in 37 patients (81% had attempted laparoscopic appendicectomies); pelvic inflammatory disease in 15 patients; torted fimbrial cyst in two patients; and free pus in the right lower peritoneum as a result of a perforated appendix was seen in two patients. Normal laparoscopy was performed in five patients and four patients who presented with a perforated duodenal ulcer had the diagnosis confirmed at laparoscopy, in three cases the perforation was oversewn laparoscopically. Two laparoscopies were performed on trauma patients; one stabbing and one blunt trauma to the right hypochondrium. It has been demonstrated that diagnostic laparoscopy is a useful adjunct to the general surgeon's armamentarium. It is suggested that the skill of laparoscopy is passed on to junior trainee surgeons who can use this technique to help attain a diagnosis in patients presenting with an acute abdomen.