Diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal trauma in hemodynamically stable patients: a prospective study

Abd-El Hady, Ahmed M.; Ahmed, Mustafa T.; Ibrahim, Ibrahim A.; Kotb, Mohamed B.M.; Ayoub, Mahmoud T.

doi:10.4103/ejs.ejs_234_21

Diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal trauma in hemodynamically stable patients: a prospective study

Authors

Abstract

Introduction
In young patients, penetrating abdominal trauma is associated with serious morbidity leading to mortality. The frequency of penetrating trauma varies greatly throughout the world. In the same way, the global experience of laparoscopy in trauma patients differs. Many recent studies have concluded that the laparoscopy has a viable role in such individuals. This work was conducted to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal wall trauma.
Patients and methods
The study enrolled 33 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. The mean age of those patients was 33.45 years. Majority (84.4%) of patients were male. All those patients were subjected to diagnostic (±therapeutic as needed) laparoscopy. The study was conducted from January 2018 to January 2021.
Results
Twenty (59.6%) patients had different organ injuries. The most frequent affected organs were small intestine (15.2%) and mesentery (12.1%). Fourteen (42.2%) patients had a therapeutic procedure, while 13 (39.4%) patients had only a diagnostic procedure. In only six (18.2%) patients, conversion to open laparotomy was done. Only three patients developed wound infection
Conclusion
Laparoscopy is a safe and practical option for hemodynamically stable individuals with penetrating abdominal injuries. It provides for a full and thorough assessment of intra-abdominal viscera. Also, it reduces the frequency of nontherapeutic laparotomy, and allows for therapeutic intervention. However, it necessitates proper surgeon training and expertise in complex surgical techniques.

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