Previous Laparotomy Scar Preventing Abdominal Injury from Gunshot Wound.

Diagnostic laparoscopy has been used in select patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. Here we present a case report where a midline surgical scar from a previous trauma laparotomy potentially prevented intra-abdominal injury. Furthermore, laparoscopy was used to exclude other intra-abdominal injuries and retrieve the projectile from within a hematoma cavity. This avoided the morbidity of a trauma laparotomy.