The Role of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Patients with Chronic Abdominal Pain – A Prospective Study

Background: Laparoscopy is defined as the technique in which abdomino-pelvic cavity is visualized through small openings in the wall of abdomen through instruments. In patients with chronic abdominal pain, only diagnostic laparoscopy can be considered as the gold standard and provide correct diagnosis and concurrently may prove to be therapeutic. Methods: This is an observational study which was conducted in Department of Surgery for the period of one year in which clinical diagnosis in the patients was made and then it was confirmed after doing diagnostic laparoscopy. The results were compared statistically. Results: The age group in which chronic abdomen pain occurred predominantly was 30 60 years in about 64% of cases. Males (60%) were predominantly involved with the male: female ratio of 3:2. The most common cause of chronic abdominal pain in developing country like India was found to be abdominal tuberculosis (30%) followed by chronic obstructive small bowel disease (22%). Statistically significant difference (<0.001) in comparison of the aetiology of the chronic abdominal pain which was diagnosed both clinically and then by laparoscopy was found in making the diagnosis of tuberculosis, obstructive disease and cholecystitis. Conclusion: Laparoscopy has proven to be admirable modality for diagnosing chronic abdominal pain where other appropriate investigations cannot accurately establish the diagnosis.