title: Diagnostic and therapeutic value of laparoscopy for small bowel blunt injuries: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small bowel injuries after blunt abdominal trauma represent both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary in order to avoid a dangerous diagnostic delay. Laparoscopy can represent a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in patients with uncertain clinical symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 25-year-old man, haemodynamically stable, admitted for acute abdominal pain a few hours after a physical assault. Giving the persistence of the abdominal pain and the presence of free fluids at the computed tomography examination, an exploratory laparoscopy was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At the laparoscopic exploration, an isolated small bowel perforation was found, 60 cm distal from the ligament of Treitz. The injury was repaired by laparoscopic suturing and the patient was discharged home at postoperative day 3 after an uneventful postoperative course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy represents a valuable tool for patients with small bowel blunt injuries allowing a timely diagnosis and a prompt treatment.
authors.affiliation: Pôle des Pathologies Digestives, Hépatiques et de la Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg - Université de Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Addeo
authors.forename: Daniela Paola
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Calabrese
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