Study to Evaluate Results and Outcomes of Non-Trauma Emergency Laparotomy

Aim: This study aimed to prospectively assess the etiology of patients who undergone emergency laparotomy for non-traumatic indications. Materials and Methods: This study, on non-traumatic cause of exploratory laparotomy was conducted on 100 patients admitted in ESIC Medical College and Hospital Kalaburagi from November 2023 to November 2024. After stabilizing the patient initially, the other necessary investigations like basic radiological investigations and special radiological investigations were completed as per necessity, and patients were taken up for laparotomy under general anesthesia, depending on the suspected site of pathology and the general condition of the patient. Result: Abdominal pain was the most common (100%) presenting complaint and incidence of other clinical symptoms and signs were variable. Features of peritonitis like tenderness (100%) and guarding (98%) were present in every patient undergone emergency laparotomy. Intestinal obstruction was found to be affected all age group. The biggest incidence was found in age group of 41 to 50 years, mean age is of 46 years. The most common gastrointestinal tract cause of perforation were ileal perforations (46%) and most common cause for obstruction is obstructed umbilical hernia (21.6%). Wound infection (61%) was the most common postoperative complication followed by electrolyte imbalance (39%). The case fatality rate was highest for small bowel pathology (13%) followed by colon pathology (7.4%). Conclusion: This study concluded that emergency laparotomy for non-traumatic indications can be performed with lower morbidity and mortality.