Diagnostic laparoscopy to investigate unexplained lactic acidosis in critically ill patients - A descriptive single centre cohort study

摘要

IntroductionUnexplained lactic acidosis (LA) in a critically ill patient often prompts investigations to rule out any reversible intra-abdominal cause. Equivocal results can lead to an emergency laparotomy (EL) with subsequent high morbidity and mortality rates. Our objective was to determine the clinical impact of urgent diagnostic laparoscopy (UDL) in such patients.