Downloads: 0
Research Paper | General Surgery | Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026 | Pages: 1085 - 1089 | India
Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Chronic Abdominal Pain with Inconclusive Evaluation: A Prospective Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) persisting for more than three months poses a significant diagnostic challenge in surgical practice. Despite advances in imaging and endoscopic techniques, a considerable proportion of patients remain without a definitive diagnosis after conventional evaluation. Diagnostic laparoscopy offers direct visualization of the abdominal cavity and allows simultaneous therapeutic intervention, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in patients with chronic abdominal pain of inconclusive etiology and to assess postoperative outcomes and pain relief. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at a tertiary care teaching hospital from November 2023 to August 2025. Patients presenting with chronic abdominal pain (>3 months) with inconclusive clinical and radiological evaluation were included. All patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy under general anesthesia with systematic inspection of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Therapeutic procedures were performed when indicated. Postoperative complications, operative duration, hospital stay, and pain relief at 1 and 3 months were assessed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results: A total of 37 patients were studied, with a female predominance (64.86%) and a mean age in the younger adult group. Postoperative adhesions were the most common laparoscopic finding (43.26%), followed by recurrent appendicitis (13.51%) and abdominal tuberculosis (10.81%). Therapeutic interventions were performed in the majority, with adhesiolysis being the most frequent procedure (32.45%). Conversion to open laparotomy was required in 13.51% of cases. The mean operative time was 58.11 ± 27.40 minutes and mean hospital stay was 4.54 ± 1.35 days. Pain relief was reported in 83.8% of patients at 1 month and 67.6% at 3 months. Complications were minimal and mostly minor. Conclusion: Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and effective modality in evaluating chronic abdominal pain with inconclusive diagnosis, offering high diagnostic yield, therapeutic benefit, and significant pain relief with low morbidity.
Keywords: Abdominal adhesions, Chronic abdominal pain, Diagnostic laparoscopy, Minimally invasive surgery, Pain relief
How to Cite?: Samir Bhaskar Meshram, Manik Charandas Gedam, Ashish Khemraj Lohwe, "Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Chronic Abdominal Pain with Inconclusive Evaluation: A Prospective Observational Study", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1085-1089, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26118092045, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26118092045