Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in acute abdomen among young adult females

Background: Acute Abdomen is not a disease by itself but a description of complex symptomatology with severe pain developing with in 24hours. In a clinical situation like this other than a detailed history, a thorough clinical examination and necessary radiological & serological investigations, diagnostic Laparoscopy plays a major role not only in evaluation but also aids in a definitive therapeutic procedure in the same sitting. Objective: To ascertain the role of Laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of Acute Abdomen among young adult females with uncertain diagnosis. Methods: This Prospective Observational study was carried out among 42 females with acute abdomen from the age group of 15 -35 years who were admitted to Emergency Department of General Surgery, Gandhi Hospital Musheerabad, Telangana. Results: Out of 42 patients a definitive diagnosis was possible in 31 patients (73.8%), where as it was still inconclusive among 11 patients (26.19%) Among 31 Patients with a definite cause for Acute Abdomen on diagnostic laparoscopy. Acute Appendicitis was the commonest cause in 22 patients (70.96%) where it was possible to perform an emergency Appendectomy in the same sitting.Relaparoscopy was done in two patients among the 4 patients who were readmitted with acute abdomen during their subsequent admissions and the cause was found to be Acute Appendicitis. Conclusion: Laparoscopy can be considered as an important tool for evaluating the cause for Acute Abdomen among Young Females with equivocal findings