DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY

INDICATIONS AND FINDINGS AT COMBINED MILITARY HOSPITAL RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Objective: There are various disease conditions that require a definitive
diagnosis before embarking on treatment. Common problems like pain abdomen and abdominal trauma are amongst
the problems that require an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Non-invasive investigations like CT scan and MRI
may be inconclusive. Study Design: This was a descriptive study. Setting: Surgical department of Combined Military
Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: Jan 2002 to Jan 2003 Material and Methods: Various indications of diagnostic
laparoscopy were assessed with special reference to various modes of presentation. It included fifty patients. Clinical
signs, symptoms and investigations were reviewed for these patients and records maintained. Patients were divided
in groups according to various modes of presentations. Results: Major indications for which it was done included these
main groups: pain abdomen, staging and diagnosis of intra abdominal tumors, assessing abdominal trauma and
assessment of female infertility. After the procedure the correlation between pre operative diagnoses and post operative
findings was studied. Conclusions: The diagnostic laparoscopy is a useful investigation that may help in avoiding
unnecessary laparotomies but further studies are required to establish its precise role in the management of above
mentioned indications.