ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Diagnostic laparoscopy is an emerging tool in diagnosis of chronic non-specific abdominal pain, the diagnosis of which remains uncertain despite employing the requisite laboratory and non-invasive imaging investigations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in chronic abdominal pain and its correlation with clinical and radiological finding. Materials and Methods: Our study was carried out on 48 patients admitted in surgical wards. All patients having chronic abdominal pain were included in the study, and patients with acute abdominal pain, with an uncorrectable coagulopathy, or uncorrectable hypercapnia and pregnant females were excluded from the study. Detailed history, examination, baseline blood, and radiological investigations were done to reach to diagnosis. Patients were subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy, and the necessary surgical therapeutic interventions during laparoscopy were employed as per the etiology after taking informed written consent. The usefulness of laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and clinical management of these patients of chronic abdominal pain was evaluated. Result: The incidence of chronic abdominal pain was almost equal in both genders. Peak incidence was seen in the age group of 31–40 years. Koch’s abdomen was the most common finding during laparoscopy followed by chronic/recurrent appendicitis. Definitive diagnosis was made in 43 patients, and 38 patients had shown resolution of pain after diagnostic laparoscopy. Conclusion: Laparoscopy offers a definitive diagnosis in a large number of patients of chronic abdominal pain and also provides therapeutic intervention. An early resort to laparoscopy can resolve the diagnostic dilemma and early treatment can be instituted.