Accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy for early diagnosis of abdominal complications after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: In the early postoperative period after major cardiac surgery using extracorporal circulation, abdominal complications can have serious consequences with a mortality rate of up to 70%. Early diagnosis and the timely institution of therapy are the most important factors to improve the outcome; however, clinical evaluation of the abdomen is difficult in these patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure with low procedure-associated morbidity, even in critically ill patients. The aims of our study were to investigate the safety of laparoscopy in critically ill patients suspected to have intraabdominal pathology following cardiac surgery and to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy compared to laparotomy in this setting. METHODS: A total of 17 patients were included (13 male, four female, age 52-80 years) in the early (3-30 days) postoperative period after cardiac surgery using extracorporal circulation (10 ACVB, four valve replacement, one aorto-coronary-venous-bypass (ACVB)+ valve replacement, two cardiac transplantation). Clinical and laboratory findings included distended abdomen (17 of 17), elevated white blood cells (12 of 17), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (13 of 17), and elevated lactate levels (11 of 17). The decision to perform laparotomy was taken in all patients on the basis of their clinical condition. Diagnostic laparoscopy was always performed immediately before laparotomy. The laparoscopic findings were then compared to the laparotomy findings. RESULTS: In one patient, laparoscopy showed no abnormal findings, this was confirmed on laparotomy. Five patients were found to have massive distension of the large bowel without ischemia on both laparoscopy and laparotomy. Colonic ischemia of the right hemicolon was found laparoscopically in six patients, which was confirmed in all cases by open resection and histological workup. Three patients suffered from acute cholecystitis, which was correctly diagnosed by laparoscopy in all cases. In one patient, laparoscopy revealed fibrinous peritonitis without other findings. Open exploration failed to identify the cause of the peritonitis in this patient. Laparoscopy showed no pathological findings in one patient, but laparotomy then revealed necrotizing pancreatitis confined to the lesser sac. There was one laparoscopy-associated intraoperative complication (6%) in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed at low intraoperative risk in critically ill patients and has a high sensitivity (94%) for the correct diagnosis of intraabdominal complications after major cardiac surgery. These results suggest that bedside laparoscopy should be considered for all patients with equivocal abdominal symptoms in this setting.     

Laparoscopy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children

In the period between 1984 and 1988 laparoscopy was conducted 846 times in children with suspected acute appendicitis. In 301 children the diagnosis was confirmed in atypical forms of appendicitis. In 418 children laparoscopy revealed diseases which are recognized with great difficulties (mesadenitis, primary peritonitis, genital diseases, etc.), in which the final diagnosis is usually established during laparotomy. In 39 children laparoscopic diagnosis was conducted during intercurrent diseases in which the abdominal pain syndrome simulated the clinical picture of acute appendicitis. As the result of laparoscopic examination the number of operations for simple forms reduced from 38.3 to 6.2% and the timely diagnosis of acute appendicitis improved.     

The role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal pain syndromes

Background: Diagnostic laparoscopy plays a significant role in the evaluation of acute and chronic abdominal pain in the era of therapeutic laparoscopic surgery. Methods: We referred to our personal series of laparoscopy for both acute and chronic abdominal pain. This is a retrospective review of data accumulated prospectively between 1979 and the present. Results: In our series, 387 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopy because of abdominal pain. In a group of 121 patients with acute abdominal pain, a definitive diagnosis was made in 119 cases (98%). Two patients needed laparotomy to confirm the diagnosis; both had a disease process that did not require laparotomy to treat. A definitive therapeutic laparoscopic procedure was performed in 53 cases 944%). In 45 patients (38%), a diagnosis was made that did not require therapeutic laparoscopy or laparotomy to treat. In the remaining 21 patients (17.5%), exploratory laparotomy was needed to treat the condition. In a chronic abdominal pain group of 265 patients, the etiology was established laparoscopically in 201 cases (76%). A definitive therapeutic laparoscopic procedure was performed in 128 patients (48%). There was a normal laparoscopic examination in 64 patients (24%). There was one false negative laparoscopy that required laparotomy to treat 1 month later. Conclusions: Laparoscopy is an accurate modality for the diagnosis of both acute and chronic abdominal pain syndromes. These data support the use of laparoscopy as the primary invasive intervention in patients with acute and chronic abdominal pain. Received: 24 March 1997/Accepted: 4 September 1997     

外科急腹症腹腔镜探查术的临床应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜手术诊治外科急腹症的临床价值.方法:回顾分析27例外科急腹症患者行腹腔镜探查术的临床资料.结果:27例均明确诊断,7例避免了不必要的剖腹探查,22例同时完成诊断与治疗,5例中转开腹,无死亡病例及并发症发生.结论:腹腔镜探查是一种积极、微创、安全的诊疗方法,患者创伤小,痛苦轻,康复快,值得推广应用.     

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of nontraumatic acute abdominal pain in women

PURPOSE: We reviewed the records of 77 women treated for nontraumatic acute abdomen by the principal author between June 1991 and June 1996. All patients presented to either the surgeon's office or the emergency room at Northwest Hospital, which is an urban community hospital in North Seattle. Our objectives in the study were to determine the effectiveness of diagnostic laparoscopy for nontraumatic acute abdomen and the percentage of cases managed using laparoscopic technique exclusively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean patient age was 36.5 (range 12-65) years. The majority of these women (92%) were premenopausal. Seventy-two (93.5%) were Caucasian, and the remaining 5 (6.5%) were Asian. Thirty-eight of the women (49%) had undergone at least one prior pelvic or abdominal operation, and 28 (36%) had undergone more than one. The principal author performed preoperative clinical evaluations, then diagnostic laparoscopy for all 77 patients. RESULTS: Laparoscopy provided a definitive diagnosis in 76 of the 77 cases. In 70% of the cases (54 of 77) the preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by diagnostic laparoscopy, and in 29% (22 of 77), the diagnosis was confirmed, yet augmented or clarified, by diagnostic laparoscopy. In the remaining case, diagnostic laparoscopy ruled out any acute etiology. Ninety-five percent of the patients (72 of 76) were treated exclusively by laparoscopy (70 cases) or a laparoscopy-assisted procedure (2 cases). Four patients (5%) required conversion to laparotomy. The remaining patient required no therapeutic surgery. Mortality was 0 and morbidity 4%. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of women presenting with acute abdominal pain can be managed using a laparoscopic technique exclusively.     

腹腔镜诊治妇科急腹症适应证的探讨(附117例病例分析)

目的 :进一步探讨腹腔镜诊治妇科急腹症的适应证。方法 :117例妇科急腹症手术治疗的病例 ,5 3例行腹腔镜手术 ,6 4例行开腹手术 ,两组疾病的构成比相似 ,比较两组术中术后情况。结果 :两组病例手术成功率均为 10 0 % ,腹腔镜组术中出血量 ,术后恢复时间 ,术后住院天数均少于开腹组 ,两组差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ,手术时间腹腔镜组长于开腹组 (P <0 0 1) ,但两组术中并发症发生率差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :腹腔镜适于诊治各种妇科急腹症 ,较开腹手术有明显的优势     

Diagnostic laparoscopy in the intensive care patient

Summary Evaluation of a potential acute abdomen in patients who require intensive care for concurrent medical/surgical problems is often difficult due to ambiguities in the physical exam and ancillary diagnostic tests. Between August 1990, and February 1992, 25 ICU patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate a suspected acute intraabdominal process. Thirteen laparoscopies were negative, and 12 were positive. The overall accuracy for laparoscopy was 96% as confirmed by subsequent laparotomy, autopsy, or clinical course. Laparoscopic findings led to a change in management in nine patients (36%), leading to earlier exploration in four patients, and avoidance of laparotomy in five. No significant hemodynamic effects were noted during laparoscopy, and the procedure-related morbidity was low (8.0%).Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and accurate guide for managing the ICU patient with a suspected acute surgical abdomen. The use of laparoscopy can help avoid nontherapeutic laparotomy or confirm the need for operative intervention in these complex cases.     

腹腔镜在不明原因急腹症诊治中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜在诊断和治疗不明原因急腹症中的作用。方法:回顾分析1992年6月至2004年5月收治的不明原因急腹症84例的临床资料。结果:84例均在腹腔镜下明确诊断,其中68例(81％)在镜下完成手术,8例(9.5％)中转开腹,8例(9.5％)明确诊断后保守治疗。所有病例经腹腔镜探查或治疗后无并发症和死亡发生。腹腔镜术后2-7d出院。结论:腹腔镜诊断不明原因的急腹症不仅准确率高,而且大部分患者可在镜下完成手术,部分不需手术处理的患者避免了不必要的开腹探查,即使需要中转开腹,可在镜下决定开腹手术合适的切口位置及手术方式。     

腹腔镜在胰腺肿瘤诊断和分期中的价值

目的:总结胰腺肿瘤剖腹手术前先行腹腔镜探查的价值。方法:对12例经B超和CT诊断或怀疑为胰腺肿瘤的病人,在剖腹手术前先行腹腔镜探查,其中2例联合使用腹腔镜超声检查(LUS)。结果:1例CT诊断疑为胰头肿瘤伴少量腹水者,腹腔镜明确为原发性腹膜炎,作冲洗引流而愈。2例影像学检查见胰体尾增厚,怀疑胰腺肿瘤者,腹腔镜检查未见明显异常,再作LUS检查,1例为胰腺囊肿,另1例未见异常。9例腹腔镜检查确诊为胰腺恶性肿瘤病人中,3例明确已有远处转移,从而避免了开腹;另6例腹腔镜探查提示可以切除,结果其中1例由于肠系膜血管被肿瘤包绕而无法切除,余5例(5/9=55.6%)进行了根治性切除。腹腔镜探查在评估胰腺癌不可切除性的敏感性为75%,特异性为100%,阳性预测值为100%,阴性预测值为83.3%。结论:腹腔镜探查可发现影像学检查不能发现的腹膜转移,结合腹腔镜超声检查可提高胰腺肿瘤诊断、分期的准确性,使部分病人避免了不必要的剖腹手术。     

Efficacy of routine laparoscopy for the acute abdomen

Background: Laparoscopic surgery of selected acute abdominal conditions has been shown to be highly effective. Therefore, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy of routine laparoscopic surgery for the acute abdomen. Methods: After appropriate investigations, patients with acute abdomen, with or without a specific diagnosis, were offered the options of either laparoscopic or open surgery. Postoperatively, we analyzed the outcome measures of diagnostic accuracy, complications, and operating time of laparoscopy. The hospital stays for our patients were compared to case-matched controls. Results: The accuracy of laparoscopic diagnosis is the same as laparotomy. The 62% of our patients who were managed totally laparoscopically required shorter hospitalization than the case-matched controls treated by open operation. Morbidity was not increased by laparoscopy in patients who required conversion to open operation. The additional cost of laparoscopy appeared modest. Conclusions: Routine laparoscopy for the acute abdomen is safe and accurate. Patients eligible for laparoscopic treatment also require less hospitalization time. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 9 June 1997     

微型腹腔镜在急腹症中的应用

目的 探讨微型腹腔镜在急腹症中的应用价值和操作特点。方法 对我院1996-1998年间应用微型腹腔镜诊治的47例原因不明的急腹症做回顾性总结。有弥漫性腹膜炎和既往腹部手术史者除外,微型腹腔镜探查、诊断和治疗,困难病例则中转为传统腹腔镜手术或开腹手术。结果 44例型腹腔镜明确诊断（94%）,3例中转为传统腹腔镜确诊,33例得到治疗（70%）。微型腹腔镜对急性盆腔炎的确诊率和治疗率为100%及95%。对急性阑尾炎的确诊率和治疗率为87%（13/15）和53%（8/15）。45例（诊断明确后2例决定开腹手术）微型腹腔镜术中有10例中转传统腹腔镜手术（中转率22%）,2例转开腹手术（4%）。主要为视野障碍和微型器械解剖困难,本组无手术死亡,无与伤口有关的并发症,1例术后并发盆腔残余脓肿。平均手术时间34min。平均住院6.8d。结论 微型腹腔镜在急腹症的鉴别诊断中有应用价值。其创伤小,确诊率高,兼有治疗作用。     

The efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of peritonitis

Background: Peritonitis continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality and often an etiologic diagnosis is unclear. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy the authors analyzed their 5-year experience with this modality of treatment. Methods: A review was made of 107 consecutive nonselected laparoscopic procedures performed between October 1990 and November 1995. The diagnosis was established by clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings and confirmed by laparoscopy and/or laparotomy. Results: An etiologic diagnosis was unclear in 35% of the cases and was established in all by laparoscopy; 94 patients (87.9%) were successfully treated by laparoscopy while 13 (12.1%) required conversion. Mortality was 4.6%; 14% had postoperative complications and 7.4% had reoperations. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is safe and very efficient in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with peritonitis. In most instances a definitive treatment can be carried out without conversion and has the additional and well-known advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Received: 15 March 1996/Accepted: 29 August 1996     

腹腔镜在急腹症诊治中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜技术诊治急腹症的应用价值。方法:回顾分析2010年8月至2011年12月为35例急腹症患者行腹腔镜探查及治疗的临床资料。结果:35例患者均获得确诊,其中3例中转开腹手术,余32例均于镜下完成治疗,无手术死亡病例及切口相关并发症发生。结论:腹腔镜手术不仅可明确诊断急腹症,还可指导治疗,提高了确诊率,降低了阴性剖腹探查率,具有安全性、准确性高、并发症少、手术死亡率低等优点,值得推广应用。     

腹腔镜急腹症探查术的临床分析

目的 :探讨腹腔镜在急腹症诊断和治疗中的应用价值。方法 :将 1998年 12月至 2 0 0 1年 12月因急腹症行手术治疗的患者分为两组 :腹腔镜组和开腹组。对照 2组的临床资料进行回顾性分析和对照研究。结果 :两组确诊率、阳性探查率差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :腹腔镜用于急腹症的诊断和治疗具有安全、可靠、微创的特点 ,可以作为普通外科医师处理急腹症的常规手段     

Laparoscopy in intra-abdominal infection. Its diagnostic value and therapeutic possibilities

In 550 patients with the clinical features of acute abdomen a surgical laparoscopy was performed. In 121 cases there was found an unspecific reason of the acute abdominal disease that did not require surgical therapy. In 349 cases a regional peritonitis was found, 80 times a diffuse peritonitis. The diagnostic validity of laparoscopy was 96% as compared to 42% for sonography. The laparoscopic access resulted in a complication rate of 0.2%. In 239 cases (43%) the disease could be managed laparoscopically, 190 cases (35%) required open surgery.     

腹腔镜诊治急性腹膜炎528例分析

目的:探讨为急性腹膜炎患者行腹腔镜手术的可行性。方法:回顾分析为528例急性腹膜炎患者行腹腔镜手术的临床资料。结果:8例中转开腹2,例死亡2,例放弃治疗,25例发生炎性肠梗阻,经保守治疗缓解,其余患者腹腔镜手术均获成功。结论:腹腔镜手术诊治急性腹膜炎安全可行,尤其老年人、儿童及妇科急腹症患者具有独特优势。     

LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDICECTOMY A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

The potential advantages of laparoscopic surgery for a number of abdominal operations including appendicectomy have been heralded. In this study the aims were to assess prospectively the role of routine diagnostic laparoscopy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and determine the efficacy of laparoscopic appendicectomy. Patients with suspected acute appendicitis had diagnostic laparoscopy. When the diagnosis was confirmed laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed. Where an alternative diagnosis was made the appropriate treatment was instituted. If no diagnosis could be made the macroscopically normal appendix was removed by laparoscopic appendicectomy. Eighty-one patients (50 female, 31 male) had an initial diagnostic laparoscopy; 53 had appendicitis and proceeded to laparoscopic appendicectomy. A diagnosis could not be established at diagnostic laparoscopy in six patients and they also proceeded to laparoscopic appendicectomy. An alternative diagnosis was made in the remaining 22 patients (19 female and 3 male), with five proceeding to laparotomy and one patient with mesenteric adenitis having laparoscopic appendicectomy. Seven patients having laparoscopic appendicectomy required conversion to an open operation due to a retrocaecal³ or perforated⁴ appendix. The median operating time for successful laparoscopic appendicectomy was 55 min (range 30–95). Morbidity occurred in five of 53 patients having a successful laparoscopic appendicectomy. The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. The median time before return to normal activities was 8 days. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a useful diagnostic technique in women with suspected acute appendicitis, as it improves diagnostic accuracy, reduces the negative appendicectomy rate and avoids unnecessary laparotomy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a significant technical advance in the management of acute appendicitis. Preliminary results reveal similar morbidity to open appendicectomy with the potential advantages of a reduced postoperative hospital stay and a more rapid return to normal activities. Randomized trials are required to confirm this.     

腹腔镜检查在腹部肿瘤诊断中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜在腹部肿瘤诊断中的应用价值。方法:分为二组,实验组:诊断为腹部肿瘤,于剖腹术前行腹腔镜检查31例;对照组:经腹腔镜检查和活检术证实腹部肿瘤14例。结果:在实验组有4/31例(12.9%)、对照组有9/14例(64.82%)证实肿瘤在腹腔内广泛转移;全组腹腔镜检查诊断准确率为100%,避免不必要的剖腹探查13/45例(28.88%)。结论:腹腔镜检查对腹部肿瘤的诊断准确率高,有助于恶性肿瘤的准确分期,可避免许多不必要的剖腹探查,且并发症少,在腹部肿瘤的诊断中,是一个重要的辅助检查手段。     

急腹症腹腔镜探查38例分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜用于急腹症腹腔探查的价值。方法:回顾分析应用腹腔镜探查治疗急腹症38例的临床资料。结果:手术及病理检查证实诊断,确诊率97.37%,成功率94.74%。结论:腹腔镜技术用于诊断及治疗急腹症具有独特的优势,既可明确诊断又能同时进行治疗,疗效可靠。但仍有局限性,必要时剖腹探查是避免漏诊的保证。     

Non-traumatic acute abdomen: videolaparoscopic approach.

Background and Objectives:

Although videolaparoscopy has been considerated a safe method for many elective procedures, its use in traumatic and non-traumatic acute abdomen needs to be evaluated. The aim of this article is to evaluate the role of videolaparoscopy in non-traumatic acute abdomen as a method of diagnosis and treatment.

Methods:

Between January 1992 and December 1996, 462 patients'' charts were reviewed, retrospectively. Patients were admitted to the emergency room of Sao Rafael Hospital with symptoms of non-traumatic acute abdomen. Routine investigation of abdominal pain was performed in all patients, followed by videolaparoscopy. The laparoscopic procedures were done with four main purposes: diagnosis (ie, enteritis); diagnosis and treatment (ie, appendicitis); treatment only, when the diagnosis was known (ie, acute cholecystitis); and in cases where the conversion to conventional laparotomy was necessary, indicating the best incision.

Results:

The vast majority of patients had inflammatory causes of acute abdomen (82.03%); others causes were hemoperitoneum (11.03%), bowel obstruction (3.25%), perforation of a hollow viscera (1.74%), vascular occlusion (1.3%), and negative laparoscopy (0.65%).

Conclusion:

This study shows that laparotomy was necessary in only 7.14% of the patients. The videolaparoscopic approach was used for diagnosis (99.35%) and treatment (92.86%) of patients with acute abdomen.