title: The utility of diagnostic laparoscopy for abdominal disorders. Audit of 120 patients.
abstract: We audited our recent experience with diagnostic laparoscopy performed over a 30-month period on 131 consecutive patients. Laparoscopy was 100% accurate in the diagnosis or exclusion of intra-abdominal malignant neoplasms, and future care decisions were affected by this information. Laparoscopy in the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain yielded positive findings in 47% of cases. The majority of referrals (73%) for the investigation of chronic abdominal pain came from the medical services, whereas the majority of referrals (72%) for the investigation of cancer originated from surgeons. Laparoscopy in the setting of acute abdominal pain yielded useful information that affected patient outcomes in 71% of cases. There were no serious complications in this series. Laparoscopy is a safe and useful diagnostic tool, especially for the diagnosis, staging, or exclusion of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center 92103-9981.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Easter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuschieri
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Nathanson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavelle-Jones
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis