Laparoscopic surgery for a liver gunshot injury

Recently, non-operative follow-up in non-penetrating abdominal injuries is often preferred. However, emergency laparotomy still remains the most exclusive method of treatment for gunshot wounds of the abdomen and laparoscopic approach is rarely reported in selected cases. In this study, our aim is to share our experience in a case with abdominal gunshot wound who was treated by a laparoscopic surgery. A 52-year-old male patient admitted with a gunshot wound that was penetrating to the abdomen. The gunshot line was from left subcostal to the right mid-axillary. He was hemodynamically stable but had abdominal sensitivity. Computed tomography confirmed the liver injury. Laparoscopic exploration was performed with three ports. A tunnel-shaped injury was detected through the liver segments 4–7 and hemostasis of the bleeding liver parenchyma was achieved by laparoscopy. No other abdominal organ injuries were detected. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and discharged on the third day and had no complaints during the six months follow-up. In certain circumstances, laparoscopy can be used both for diagnosis and treatment of penetrating gunshot wounds and may reduce the risk of unnecessary laparotomy.