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Laparoscopic surgery in the management of traumatic hemoperitoneum in stable patients

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Abstract

Unnecessary laparotomies in patients with abdominal traumatism (AT) who present hemoperitoneum with stable hemodynamics may be avoided if a diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy is performed. Between July 1992 and December 1994, 24 patients with AT and hemoperitoneum underwent this exploration: 5 were found to have a large retroperitoneal hematoma; 2, a tear in the intestinal mesenterium; 4, hepatic injuries; and 13, splenic lesions. Of the 24 patients, 9 needed conversion to open exploration: 8 during the laparoscopy and 1 shortly after operation. Mean hospital stay was 7 days (5–9). There was no morbidity or mortality in the series. Diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy is a method that is efficient and economical and can easily be undertaken by surgeons with experience in laparoscopy; it may be a valid alternative to conservative treatment or laparotomy in AT and hemoperitoneum patients who are hemodynamically stable.

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Lujan-Mompean, J.A., Parrilla-Paricio, P., Robles-Campos, R. et al. Laparoscopic surgery in the management of traumatic hemoperitoneum in stable patients. Surg Endosc 9, 879–881 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00768882

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00768882

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