Accuracy assessment of laparoscopic examination of intra-abdominal organs in trauma victims

• Main Authors: H. Peyvandi, M. Talebpoor, Z. Begam Orang, H. Ahmadi Amoli, N. Motalebi, H.R. Hallaj Mofrad, B. Molavi, H. Asheri
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2006-08-01
• Series: Tehran University Medical Journal
• Subjects: intra-abdominal organs
• Online Access: http://journals.tums.ac.ir/PdfMed.aspx?pdf_med=/upload_files/pdf/3093.pdf&manuscript_id=3093

Background: Performing traditional autopsy mostly seems to be unpleasant in dead persons' relatives' opinion. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of laparoscopic examination of intra abdominal organs in comparison to the traditional autopsy in trauma victims. Methods: From December 2004 to September 2005, 50 fresh cadavers of blunt trauma victims were studied in less than 24 hours from death time. Intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs were first evaluated by laparoscope and then the traditional autopsy was performed as gold standard. The organs were assessed regarding impairment and its grade in both ways. Diagnostic accuracy of laparoscope was determined for each case with 95% confidence interval using Fisher's exact test. Results: The values of overall and distinct accuracy of laparoscopic examination for intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs were significantly comparable with traditional autopsy. The accuracy of laparoscopic evaluation of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs were 90% (95% CI of 81.7% to 94.8%) and 92% (95% CI of 84.7% to 96%) respectively in comparison to open autopsy. The overall accuracy of laparoscopic examination was 84% (95% CI of 74.3% to 90.5%). Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of laparoscopic examination for intraperitoneal but not retroperitoneal organs were acceptable in comparison to open autopsy. Laparoscopic examination seems to be an eligible substitute for the traditional autopsy in assessment of intraperitonel organs.