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