The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of the laparoscopic surgical treatment of abdominal emergencies. From May 1991 to September 1995, 200 patients operated by laparoscopy for an acute abdomen were included in this study. The decision to treat the patient by laparoscopy was taken by the surgeon on duty. There were 101 males and 99 females with a mean age of 41 +/- 20 years (range 11-90 years). The main indications for operation were: acute appendicitis (109 patients), acute cholecystitis (52 patients), small bowel obstruction (14 patients) and perforated duodenal ulcer (14 patients). There was no hospital mortality. One per cent of patients experienced an operative complication which was treated by laparotomy. Conversion to laparotomy was needed in 13% of cases. The morbidity rate was 9% and reoperation by laparotomy for acute generalized peritonitis secondary to small bowel perforation was necessary in two cases. Mean postoperative hospital stay ranged from 4 to 7 days. The authors conclude that surgical laparoscopic treatment of the common abdominal emergencies is safe. The conversion rate is low as is the complication rate. These conclusions should be confirmed by a prospective study.