title: The value of laparoscopy in general surgery.
abstract: Fifty-six general surgical patients were evaluated by laparoscopy, primarily for diagnostic problems, ascites or liver assessment for potential metastatic disease. There was minimal morbidity and no mortality from the procedure. Overall laparoscopic accuracy was 87%. In properly selected cases, laparoscopy can often resolve a diagnostic problem, determine the extent of disease and permit initiation of appropriate therapy.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative