title: Diagnostic laparoscopy.
abstract: This report examines the value of laparoscopy as a diagnostic aid to one general surgeon. Seventy-seven consecutive patients who underwent this procedure are reported. In 31 patients, laparoscopy was performed for assessment of the cause of acute abdominal pain. Diagnosis was achieved in 28 patients (90 percent) and laparotomy was avoided in 17 (55 percent). Assessment of chronic abdominal pain in 11 patients yielded a diagnostic accuracy in 9 (82 percent) and laparotomy was avoided in 7 (64 percent). In 11 patients with abdominal trauma, diagnostic accuracy was 91 percent (10 of 11 patients) and laparotomy was not required in 6 (54 percent). In 21 patients with intraabdominal malignancy, 14 (67 percent) were accurately assessed, and in 8 (38 percent) formal exploration was spared. Three patients with obscure causes of ascites and jaundice were all accurately assessed without need for laparotomy. Based on our data, we believe the reports in the literature are reproducible by any abdominal surgeon who uses laparoscopy as a diagnostic aid in their practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003949:Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis