WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

Nabila Kloping, Zaky El Hakim, Barmadisatrio Barmadisatrio

Pediatric Surgery Division, Surgery Department, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

Purpose: This review aimed to evaluate the advantages of laparoscopy in hope of being a first choice in diagnosing paediatric patients with suspected abdominal TB (ATB).

Method: A thorough systematic search was performed through electronic databases including Pubmed, Sciencedirect, and Springer for studies using laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool for ATB.

Results: This review included 8 studies, with 48 ATB patients diagnosed with laparoscopy. We discover that laparoscopy can be a first choice option in case of doubtful diagnosis. Nonspecific symptoms including abdominal pain, abdominal distention, concurrent fever, weight loss, alteration of bowel habit, and signs of intestinal obstruction. Rather than using resources for ultrasound and abdominal CT-scan, it is more cost and time efficient to first use laparoscopy to support clinical suspicion. Histopathological samples can also be taken during laparoscopy. The presence of visualized whitish tubercle is a sign of ATB, with peritoneum as the most common site involved. Laparotomy is required for ATB with signs of acute abdomen.

Conclusion: ATB has to be suspected in cases of patients with vague signs and symptoms. Accurate diagnosis for ATB is crucial to avoid unnecessary diagnostic modalities and treatment. Laparoscopy as a preffered option is reliable, less invasive and cost effective. Early recognition is warranted as antitubercular therapy should be given without delay.