title: Laparoscopy in children.
abstract: Laparoscopy has been performed in 120 infants and children for a variety of indications including chronic abdominal pain, debatable appendicitis, liver biopsy, biliary atresia, and abdominal trauma. A specific diagnosis was made in 71% of patients and 59% were spared laparotomy. There were one complication and four errors in interpretation (3.3%). Laparoscopy represents a considerable advantage over laparotomy in the diagnosis and management of a number of pediatric disorders and deserves wider application.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000002:abnormalities; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*