Diagnostic laparoscopy as an aid in the management of blunt abnormal trauma

35 patients with blunt abdominal trauma [BAT] were assessed clinically and sonographicaly. They included 72 males and 7 females with an average age of 34 years. In the group of patients where the results of clinical and sonographic assessment were equivocal, diagnostic laparoscopy [DL] was performed. Out of 17 patients subjected to DL, 8 had therapeutic laparotomy, 8 were managed conservatively and one had a nontherapeutic laparotomy. When used appropriately, DL can be helpful in improving the diagnostic accuracy in patients suffering from BAT