Evaluation of the role of early laparoscopy

The aim of a recent prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the role of early laparoscopy in the management of young women with non-specific abdominal pain. Women aged 13 to 45 years presenting to the emergency department were included. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, history of appendectomy, contraindications to laparoscopy, malignancy, and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. The authors analyzed data from 508 patients with pain in the right iliac or hypogastric region who underwent laparoscopy. Based on the results obtained, the authors concluded that early laparoscopy does not have a significant advantage compared with active clinical surveillance in this category of patients. Source: Mario Morino et al. (Annals of Surgery, 2, 2007)