ASSESSING THE EFFICACY AND ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY IN SUBJECTS WITH CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN

Abstract

Background: Most demanding and challenging conditions to manage across the globe in subjects of all ages are chronic idiopathic pain syndromes. Various diagnostic advancements have been made, pain in these subjects still presents a challenge for all available diagnostic and management methods.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy and role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of the etiology of chronic abdominal pain which is not diagnosed.

Materials and methods: In 30 subjects with chronic abdominal pain with unknown etiology or who were refractory to the treatment for more than 3 months. Diagnostic laparoscopy was done for all the subjects. The collected data were subjected to statistical evaluation and the results were formulated.

Results: The present study showed that chronic abdominal pain was more prevalent in females compared to males with the most commonly involved site being the periumbilical region. The pain was most commonly seen at the peri- umbilical region with 43.33% (n=13) subjects reporting pain in this region followed by diffuse abdominal pain in 30% (n=9) study subjects, and lower and upper abdomen pain in 13.33% (n=4) subjects each. The duration of pain was 3- 12 months in 3.33% (n=1) subject, 12-18 months in 43.33% (n=13) subjects, 18-36 months in 16.66% (n=5) study subjects, and was more than 36 months in36,66% (n=11) study subjects. The findings on laparoscopic examinations have shown that normal peritoneal cavity was seen in 13.33% (n=4) study subjects, ovarian cyst and tuberculosis in 3.33% (n=1), cholecystitis in 6.66% (n=2) study subjects, postoperative adhesions in 13.33% (n=4) study subjects, and recurrent appendicitis was seen in 60% (n=18) study subjects.

Conclusion: The present study concludes that chronic abdominal pain is most commonly caused by recurrent appendicitis where diagnostic laparoscopy is efficacious and safe for diagnosing and managing these subjects.