The role of laparoscopy in abdominal trauma

Abstract

Since the advent of minimally invasive surgery, the use of laparoscopy for both diagnostic as well as therapeutic interventions has continued to expand in all of the surgical disciplines. In fact, this modality provides a viable alternative for the diagnosis of occult intra-abdominal injury following both penetrating and blunt trauma. The increased use of laparoscopy coupled with defined management algorithms has decreased the rate of negative and/or nontherapeutic laparotomy. This is particularly important in those patients where the potential for peritoneal violation exists without other clear indications for laparotomy. As technology and instrumentation continue to advance, future directions will include more attempts at therapeutic and ‘awake’ laparoscopy to embrace the advantages of minimally invasive surgery including decreased pain, expedited discharge and reduction of unnecessary laparotomy in suitable patients.