Emergency laparoscopic surgery--the Changi General Hospital experience
Lee, K.B.L.; Wong, S.K.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 31(2): 155-157
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 11957550 Document Number: 541851
This paper analyses the emergency laparoscopic procedures undertaken by our unit over a 1-year period in an effort to evaluate the diagnostic-therapeutic use of laparoscopy in an emergency situation. This is a retrospective study that analysed 137 emergency laparoscopic procedures that were performed for patients who presented with acute abdominal pain over a 1-year period from 31 December 1999 to 31 December 2000. A definitive diagnosis was made in 91.2% (125). Of the 78 cases that required surgical intervention, 71.8% (56) were performed laparoscopically. The conversion rate (to open surgery) was 16.8% (23) and the morbidity rate was 8% (11); with no mortalities. We conclude that laparoscopic surgery is effective and safe in the non-elective setting and it offers a high potential for diagnosis and therapy in selected patients in whom the diagnoses are equivocal.