Role of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Background and Objective: Trauma remains the major cause of mortality and disability among young people across the world with penetrating trauma being a very common cause. Traditionally, penetrating abdominal trauma was managed with exploration. But now with the advent of minimally access surgery and advancements in laparoscopic expertise, more patients can be managed with minimally invasive methods. This approach can save many unnecessary laparotomies and large midline incisions. The role of laparoscopy in blunt abdominal trauma is well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal injuries. Methods: All the penetrating abdominal trauma patients presenting to the emergency department of Rawal Medical and Dental hospital from January 2019 till December 2020 for a period of 2years (a total of 102 patients) and who were hemodynamically stable, between the ages of 20 to 50 years of either gender were included in the study. All these patients had equivocal abdominal findings with no signs to suggest serious intraabdominal injury. These patients were prepared as standard for general anesthesia and diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. A predesigned performa was used for entering the patients’ details and operative findings. All patients gave written informed consent in urdu. Main outcome measures were the conversion rate, missed injuries leading to reexploration. Results: 85%of the patients were males with only 15% females. Mean age of the population was 38.7 years .Conversion to open was required in only 6.12 % of the cases .Laparoscopy alone was sufficient for all other patients. In about 36% of the patients no intraabdominal injury was found. In rest 58% patients the surgeons were able to repair the injuries laparoscopically.18 patients had minor liver injury,10 patients had minor hemoperitoneum<100 ml without any significant injury and 2 patients had single small bowel perforation which was repaired laparoscopically and cavity was irrigated. No patient had post operative complications of peritonitis due to missed injury or bleeding leading to re exploration. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a very effective procedure to deal with penetrating abdominal trauma patients who are stable and with equivocal abdominal findings without increasing risk of missed injury with minimal rates of conversion to open laparotomy if patients are selected vigilantly. Keywords: Penetrating, Diagnostic Laparoscopy, Abdominal Trauma