Laparoscopy in management of abdominal pain in children.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy for abdominal pain in children. Fifty-four children under the age of 12 years who presented with an acute abdomen with symptoms of duration of less than 72 hours (N = 21), and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) with duration of symptoms ranging from 2 to 18 months (N = 33) were included in this study. Patients who presented with hemodynamic instability and signs of generalized peritonitis were excluded from this study. All patients were evaluated thoroughly, including a detailed history with relevant investigations and other specific tests, such as the Mantoux test, urinary porphobilinogen, video electroencephalograph, M. tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction, and so on, were taken to rule out rare causes of RAP. The results of the study were assessed, and it is concluded that diagnostic laparoscopy allows for establishing a prompt, accurate diagnosis in the acute abdomen without a therapeutic delay and unnecessary hospital observation. Laparoscopy early in the course of debilitating chronic abdominal pain in children provides economic benefit by eliminating many low-yield imaging studies and also minimizes lost time from school.