Audit of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a thorough audit of laparoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality in patients with chronic pain abdomen. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Multan, from Jul 2015 to Dec 2021. Methodology: One hundred fifty-three patients with chronic abdominal pain were included in this study. The cause of pain in all patients was unknown despite undergoing thorough history, examination and appropriate investigations. Laparoscopy was performed in all patients, and findings were recorded accordingly. Results: A total of 153 patients were included in this study 67(43.8%) patients were male, and 86 (56.2%) were female. The mean age was 33.268±12.171 years (ranging from 15 to 60 years). The average duration of pain was 10.23±2.204 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed laparoscopically in 143 patients (93.33%). Ten patients remain undiagnosed (6.66%). The most common cause was chronic appendicitis in 68(44.4%), followed by ovarian disorders 35(22.9%). There was a significant improvement in mean pain scores between the pre-and post-operatively periods [6.765±1.116 Vs. 2.961±1.572 (p-value< 0.001)]. Conclusion: Diagnostic laparoscopy has a higher diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy in patients with chronic abdominal pain. It significantly improves post-operative pain.

Keywords

• Appendicitis
• Chronic pain abdomen
• Laparoscopy
• Visual analogue pain score