Publication:

Diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in chronic abdominal pain: a retrospective study in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background Abdominal pain was the third most common complaint of individuals often recurrent and needs immediate care. The ability of the method to access and inspect the entire abdominal cavity and retro-peritoneum without harming the structures of it places laparoscopy as the procedure of choice in the diagnosis of abdominal pain.

Methods The study is a retrospective study conducted in Tagore Medical College and Hospital, Chennai during the period of 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2017. Patients of age above 18 years with history of abdominal pain for 6 months or more were included in the study. Basic investigations were also done for the patient. Based on the clinical examinations, patients were subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy. All cases were done as elective surgeries.

Results A total of 48 patients were found in the record, in which the diagnosis remained uncertain despite of all important investigations. The majority of the patients 19 (40%) were in the age group of 21-40 years followed by 17 (36%) in 41-65 years. The duration of pain ranged between 6 months to 1 years. On laparoscopic examination, majority of patients (46%) were diagnosed with chronic appendicitis.

Conclusions Laparoscopy is not only safe, but also quick and effective investigation tool for chronic abdominal pain.