The role of laparoscopy in pediatric trauma.

Minimally invasive techniques have now become standard for the treatment of many surgical conditions in children. During the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the use of this technology for the management of injured children. Laparoscopy has become an important adjunct in the evaluation of both blunt and penetrating intra-abdominal trauma and frequently is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Laparoscopic techniques have been used to repair injuries involving the gastrointestinal tract, solid organs, and the diaphragm. These procedures have been performed successfully, and avoid the complications associated with formal laparotomy.