Diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation of abdominal impalement injuries.

• Vol 10 • April 2008 314 Abdominal impalement injuries are seen routinely in trauma centers all over the world. Although the primary evaluation of these injuries at the scene and the emergency room is well established, the issue of whether these patients should undergo a formal laparotomy or less invasive diagnostic laparoscopy is still a matter of debate. In this report we describe the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in a morbidly obese young male with a knife impaled in his lower abdomen. We discuss the benefits and pitfalls of diagnostic laparoscopy in impalement injuries of the anterior abdomen.