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Table 1 Summary of our recommendations regarding the emergency use of laparoscopy.

From: Emergency laparoscopy – current best practice

CONDITION

DIAGNOSTIC ROLE?

THERAPEUTIC ROLE?

SPECIFICS

Trauma

Penetrating Trauma to Abdominal Wall

Diaphragmatic injury repair

Cautious recommendations

 

Evaluation of potential diaphragmatic injuries

Haemostasis of minor visceral injury

 

Perforated PUD

No

Probably

More research required

Acute Cholecystitis

No

Yes

Within 72 hours of presentation

Appendicitis

Yes (females)

Unclear (Males and Children)

Yes

To be left in-situ if other pathology found

Gynaecological Emergencies

Yes

Yes

Ectopic Pregnancy

   

Ovarian Cyst Torsion

   

Salpingo-Oophritis

Pancreatitis

No

No

Immediate Surgery

  

Yes

Necrosectomy and pseudocyst drainage

  

Immediate Lap. Cholecystectomy.

Mild Gallstone Pancreatitis

  

Delayed Lap. Chole after urgent ERCP

Severe Gallstone Pancreatitis

Mesenteric Ischaemia

No

No

-

Acute Diverticulitis

No

No

Perhaps, in extremis where patient is too ill for laparotomy

Incarcerated Hernia

No

No

-

Small Bowel Obstruction

No

No

-

Non-Specific Abdominal Pain

Yes

Yes

-