Laparoscopic surgery in selective patients with bowel rupture in blunt abdominal trauma

The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and the safety of the laparoscopic surgery (LS), comparing with open surgery in the management o f traumatic bowel rupture. Consecutive patients were 23 cases who were trea ted with open surgery between '93 to '97. Although LS was not susceptible i n this series, the cases who were likely to be eligible for LS retrospectiv ely were 13 patients (Group A). Recently, we experienced consecutive 13 cas es between 1998 to 2000. All but one were adopted LS. Only one case who was suspected duodenal rupture during LS was converted and in the rest (Group B) LS was completely performed. The outcome measures of patients' backgroun d, duration from onset to operation, operative time, bleeding volume, durat ion to oral intake, peritoneal contamination, complications, hospital stay, and mortality were analyzed between groups. There were no statistical diff erences in all compared clinical factors except bleeding volume. The bleedi ng volume in Group B was significantly lower than in Group A. LS could offe r the better values in the management of the selective patients with bowel rupture in the blunt abdominal trauma.