Experience of laparoscopic management in 100 patients with acute abdomen.

Background/aims: The decision to operate on a patient with acute abdominal pain comes to the mind of the surgeon if routine investigations fail to identify the cause. A negative laparotomy may have complications, while laparoscopy appears to be a valuable way to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of acute abdominal pain and offers a promising modality of treatment.
Methodology: The study included 100 patients with provisional diagnosis of acute abdomen after clinical examination and conventional diagnostic aids. All the patients have been subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy.
Results: Eight cases (8%) were managed by laparotomy following diagnosis by laparoscope (disturbed ectopic pregnancy), while 92 cases (92%) were managed laparoscopically which resulted in 81 cases (81%) of successful laparoscopic procedure (31 appendectomies, 19 cholecystectomies, 12 ovarian cyst accident, and others) and 11 cases (11%) were converted to open surgery (4 gallbladder empyema, 2 appendicular mass, 2 intestinal obstruction, and others). Postoperative complications were two cases of wound infection managed conservatively (perforated appendix). The postoperative follow-up for six months was uneventful.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic management of acute abdomen is a safe and effective method with the advantages of small scar, short hospital stay and early recovery.