OBJECTIVE

To improve the results of diagnosis and treatment of patients with abdominal injuries through a wider introduction of laparoscopic methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed 3556 patients with concomitant abdominal injuries. All patients had damage to several organs and systems. Laparoscopy was performed in 1962 patients, laparotomy without previous laparoscopy — in 1594 patients.

RESULTS

Laparoscopy found no abdominal injuries in 25.7% of patients, other 13.7% of patients required no surgery and follow-up was indicated. In 60.7% of patients, injuries required surgical correction. Among these lesions, 26.6% of injuries were successfully eliminated using laparoscopic approach. In some cases, more than one injury was corrected. Indications for laparotomy were overestimated in 30.2% of patients who underwent open surgery without previous laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

There is a tendency to decrease in the number of open and laparoscopic procedures for concomitant abdominal trauma over time that is associated with widespread introduction of modern diagnostic methods and accumulation of experience. Laparoscopy should be preferred for diagnosis of abdominal injuries in patients with concomitant trauma and no contraindications. This approach diagnoses no injuries or their mild nature in 39.3% of cases. Moreover, laparoscopy effectively eliminates certain lesions in 26.6% of cases.