Use Of Diagnostic Laparoscopy Research Articles

Use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with surgical abdominal sepsis.

Patients often present to the surgeon with abdominal pain, tenderness, and fever. Many exhibit progressive sepsis due to abdominal pathology. Delay in diagnosis and treatment often occurs due to the use of multiple, time-consuming, expensive diagnostic studies. We delineate the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in subsets of patients in whom confusion exists as to the cause of abdominal sepsis--i.e., females in child-bearing years, elderly patients, obese patients, immunosuppressed patients, and patients with suppression of physical findings. The methodical assessment of the entire abdominal cavity is performed utilizing manipulation of the patient's position (Trendelenburg, supine, reverse Trendelenburg, left side up, right side up) and meticulous inspection of the entire small bowel. Diagnoses included acute appendicitis, gangrenous appendicitis, perforated appendicitis with peritonitis or abscess, gangrenous cholecystitis, ischemic bowel disease, perforating carcinoma of the colon, perforating diverticulitis with abscess or peritonitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, closed-loop small-bowel obstruction, megacolon, and perforation of the colon. Laparoscopic treatment of 96% of the patients was performed successfully and a laparoscopic-assisted approach was used in the remainder. There was one mortality (cardiac) and no major morbidity. The development of a Formal Diagnostic Exploratory Laparoscopic (FDEL) approach has aided in the assessment of each of the diagnoses of sepsis in the abdominal cavity. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach laparoscopically avoids extensive preoperative studies, avoids delay in operative intervention, and appears to minimize morbidity and shorten the postoperative recovery interval.

Negative Laparotomy in Abdominal Gunshot Wounds

To evaluate the morbidity and hospital stay resultant from negative exploratory laparotomy (NL) for abdominal gunshot wounds (ABGSWs) and the potential impact the use of diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) could have on these variables. A retrospective study was conducted. The charts of all patients with ABGSWs over a 4-year period were reviewed. Data was collected on injuries, rate of NL, morbidity and hospital stay. This was compared to a subsequent group of patients with ABGSWs managed with a DL protocol. Over a 4-year period, 817 patients had exploratory laparotomy (EL) for ABGSWs. The NL rate was 12.4% (101 of 817); 69 of these patients had no associated injury or other procedures. They had a 22% morbidity and an average hospital stay of 5.1 days. Subsequently, 85 patients with ABGSWs underwent DL. This group was similar to the EL group and would have undergone EL prior to the introduction of DL at our institution. In this group, 34 patients had no associated injury or other procedures. They had a 3% morbidity, and their average hospital stay was 1.4 days. The morbidity and hospital stay were statistically significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in patients with negative DL versus NL. These data demonstrate that NL is associated with a high morbidity and long hospital stay. The use of DL can reduce the rate of NL, and result in lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay in patients with ABGSWs.

Surgical Considerations in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease continues to be a common finding in young women with lower abdominal pain. Typical emergency room pelvic inflammatory disease, with classic symptoms of pain, fever, and a history of high-risk sexual behavior, is easily diagnosed with a high degree of specificity. However, the majority of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease have atypical symptoms, and their condition may be incorrectly diagnosed and treated. Careful attention to the physical signs of pelvic infection and the evaluation of the vaginal secretions for leukocytes improves diagnostic accuracy. Liberal use of diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm the possibility of acute salpingitis is recommended in young women, who have much to lose from a case of untreated salpingitis. Outpatient treatment with a beta-lactam antibiotic followed by a course of doxycycline adequately treats patients with N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infections. However, patients with suspected anaerobic upper genital tract infection such as those infections associated with tubo-ovarian abscess or IUD use should be admitted for parenteral antibiotic therapy and observation. Laparotomy and extirpative surgery should be reserved for seriously ill patients with generalized peritonitis associated with rupture of a tubo-ovarian abscess and for patients who do not respond to antibiotic therapy. Sound judgment regarding the extent of extirpative surgery, taking into consideration the wishes of the patient with respect to future fertility and hormone production, will lead to an acceptable outcome.

Acute appendicitis in patients with AIDS/HIV infection

Nine patients known to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and operated on for acute appendicitis are presented. Six of the nine patients did not have an elevation in the white blood cell count preoperatively. Two patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy prior to exploration. In four cases, a perforated appendix was removed. Seven patients had persistent postoperative fever, while all nine had a significant lack of leukocytosis after surgery. Other than the absence of a preoperative increase in white blood cell count, the presenting characteristics of this group were similar to those expected in immunocompetent patients. However, concern for a possible opportunistic infection etiology and a desire to avoid operating on these patients resulted in an undue delay prior to exploration. The use of diagnostic laparoscopy aided in earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Despite persistent postoperative fever, appendectomy was performed in patients with AIDS/HIV infection without significant increase in morbidity and mortality.