Is laparoscopy safe and effective in nontraumatic acute abdomen?

Background and Aims: Progress in laparoscopic experience has increased the number of laparoscopic procedures performed, even in emergency cases. Herewith, results in a prospective series of 300 patients laparoscopically treated for nontraumatic abdominal emergencies are presented with the intent to prove the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic approach in the treatment of acute abdomen. Materials and Methods: From a prospective multicenter study performed between June 2008 and December 2009, the authors collected data on 300 patients with a provisional diagnosis of acute abdomen, laparoscopically treated or who underwent explorative laparoscopy. Results: A correct diagnosis was made by means of laparoscopy in all 300 (100%) patients, and therapeutic laparoscopy was successfully performed in 270 (90%) patients. With laparoscopy, it was possible to modify the preoperative diagnosis and the treatment in 17 cases (5.6%). Upon statistical analysis, the conversion rate was correlated to the age of the patients (P < .0001) and to the operative time (P < .0001). The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 8%. Statistical analysis revealed that morbidity is correlated to the age of patients (P < .0001) and to the operative time (P < .0001). The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days. Conclusions: Laparoscopy has been shown to play a crucial role in the management of almost every abdominal emergency, offering, compared with the open approach, an initial diagnostic or explorative tool and a valid alternative in the treatment of the cause of acute abdomen with low morbidity and mortality rates.