LAPAROSCOPY VERSUS LAPAROTOMY IN EVALUATION OF PENETRATING ABDOMINAL INJURIES.

Purpose: to compare the role of laparoscopy versus laparotomy in evaluation of penetrating abdominal injuries in haemodynamically stable patients. Methods: This study was carried out in the emergency unit of general surgery department in Zagazig university hospitals. The study included sixty patients with penetrating abdominal injuries or equivocal penetration in haemodynamically stable patients. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, group A underwent laparoscopic exploration of the abdomen and group B underwent exploratory laparotomy. Results: There was significant difference between both groups regarding hospital stay with short hospital stay for laparoscopic group. In laparotomy group 7 patients had postoperative complications, 2 with post operative ileus, one with pneumonia and 4 with wound infections. In laparoscopic group only one patient had post operative ileus. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a helpful diagnostic tool for penetrating abdominal wall injuries to exclude peritoneal penetration. The use of laparoscopy will decrease the rate of negative and non-therapeutic laparotomies, therefore it minimizes the morbidity and decreases the hospital stay.