BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to describe our experience using laparoscopy in the management of emergent and acute abdominal conditions. METHODS: Between March 1997 and November 2001, 277 consecutive minimally invasive procedures were performed for various nontrauma surgical emergencies. The indications for operation were nonspecific @entity490 in 129 cases (46%), @entity298 in 64 cases (23%), @entity1744 in 52 cases (19%), complications after previous surgery or invasive procedures in 24 cases (9%), and @entity295 of unknown origin in 8 cases (3%). RESULTS: Laparoscopy obtained a correct diagnosis in 98.6% of the cases. In 207 @entity1 (75%), the procedure was completed laparoscopically. An additional 35 @entity1 (12.5%) required a target incision. The remaining 35 @entity1 (12.5%) underwent formal laparotomy. The morbidity rate was 5.8%. No laparoscopy-related mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: For @entity1 with @entity1661 , the laparoscopic approach provides diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic options, avoids extensive preoperative studies, averts delays in operative intervention, and appears to reduce morbidity.

The use of laparoscopy in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity295 :: ('MESH:D018805', 'Disease') :: ['sepsis'] @entity1661 :: ('MESH:D000008', 'Disease') :: ['abdominal emergencies'] @entity490 :: ('MESH:D015746', 'Disease') :: ['abdominal pain'] @entity1744 :: ('MESH:D043183', 'Disease') :: ['small bowel obstruction'] @entity298 :: ('MESH:D010538', 'Disease') :: ['peritonitis']
@entity1661 :: (MESH:D000008,Disease) :: ['abdominal emergencies']
