Objective:Laparoscopy is used for management of abdominal trauma (blunt as well as penetrating) hence minimizing the open laparotomies.

Methods:180 laparotomies for abdominal trauma were performed at Jabalpur Hospital from Dec.1999 to may 2005.Out of these 27 were managed laparoscopically.All of these were subjected to baseline investigations.The selected patients were subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy.18 of these
had blunt trauma and 9 had penetrating injuries.
In blunt trauma group 9 patients had to be converted to open surgery and rest 9 underwent laparoscopic management.
In penetrating trauma group only 2 cases needed open surgery and rest 7 were managed laparoscopically.

Results: Laparoscopically managed patients had no missed injuries and no deaths or significant complications.

Conclusions:Selected patients of abdominal trauma managed
laparoscopicaly showed quick recovery and minimizing the expenditure and more so of loss of man hour.