Role of laparoscopy in blunt abdominal trauma

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of blunt abdominal trauma. This descriptive, prospective study was conducted in the departments of surgery, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur and Chandka Medical College, Larkana, Pakistan from June 2010 to May 2012. It included 32 patients with blunt abdominal trauma admitted in emergency at GMMMC, Sukkur and at CMC Larkana. Initially, all were resuscitated with iv fluids, analgesics, iv antibiotics and blood transfusion, if required and then investigated by ultrasound abdomen, plain x-ray abdomen and chest and other routine investigations. Laparoscopy was performed in hemodynamically stable patients not showing free gas under the diaphragm in plain x-ray abdomen and ultrasound showing hemoperitoneum. The patients with penetrating abdominal wounds, non-traumatic abdominal emergencies and iatrogenic injuries were excluded. Out of 32 parents, 29 were male and only 3 were female. The age ranged from 12 to 60 years. The organs injured were spleen in 5 [15.6%] patients, liver in 17 [53.12%], omental bleeding in 2 [6.25%], small bowel mesenteric bleeding in 6 [18.75%] and associated Jejunal [injuries in 2 [6.25%] patients. Only 3 [9.37%] patients with Grade-iii liver injury developed post- operative collection, 1 [3.12%] patient developed biliary fistula and 1 [3.12%] developed right sided pleural effusion. No post-operative bleeding or mortality was recorded. Laparoscopy could be useful in selected patients with blunt abdominal trauma as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, thus avoiding unnecessary laparotomies