[Diagnosis of acute abdomen by means of laparoscopy (experience in 6,400 cases)].

A study of 6,400 cases of Emergency Laparascopy (E.L.) was made in the Instituto de Gastroenterología de Habana, Cuba. The objective of the E.L. is to provide a diagnosis when other methods have been unable to do so. The most frequent diseases found were: gynecological problems, acute appendicities, and acute cholecystopathies. The E.L. is of great usefulness as in many cases an exact diagnosis is possible thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. The reliability of the method is good, permitting an exact diagnosis in 98% of the cases. In all the authors' cases the diagnosis was confirmed by either surgery or the evolution of the disease. The authors recommend the creation of emergency laparascopy services in which all the resources would be centralized: sufficient medical staff to ensure 24-hour service, specialized technicians, and the necessary material. They add that even though in their country it is of little importance, their experience leads to the conclusion that this type of organization is medically profitable.