Abstract
Objectives: We examined the usefulness and limitations of laparoscopic surgery for acute abdominal conditions. Method: A retrospective study of 236 patients having acute abdominal conditions treated with laparoscopic surgery (Lap) was performed in comparison with 254 similar acute abdominal patients treated with laparotomy. Upon preoperative diagnosis, after classifying these cases into intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, acute appendicitis, and acute abdominal conditions with unknown causes upon preoperative diagnosis, we examined the accuracy rate of laparoscopic diagnosis, the method of surgery, operating time, and postoperative complications. Results: The accuracy rate of laparoscopic diagnosis was 91.1%, in 71.6% of which laparoscopic surgery could be performed completely following diagnosis. The main reason for converting to laparotomy was bowel adhesion or intestinal necrosis. The mean operating time was 104.0±46.3 minutes in Lap and 65.3±34.6 min in laparotomy. Morbidity of Lap was similar to laparotomy (21.4% vs. 19.3%). Conclusion: Due to its diagnostic and therapeutic advantages, laparoscopic surgery is useful for acute abdominal conditions, but there is a limit to continue with a laparoscopic procedure in cases of strong bowel adhesion or intestinal necrosis.
