Peritoneoscopy--use in assessment of intra-abdominal malignancy.
Peritoneoscopy was performed on 236 patients between 1971 and 1980 to assess intraabdominal malignancy or to determine its presence when doubt existed. The diagnostic rate was 86%. The main causes of failure to reach a diagnosis were adhesions arising from previous surgery and tumor adhesions. It was a useful means of obtaining a tissue diagnosis, and the complication rate was low--4.5%. Peritoneoscopy demonstrated the cause of hepatomegaly in 90.9% of patients, the pathology of abdominal masses in 82.5%, and of ascites in 80.5%. It was also useful in assessing abdominal ultrasound and isotope liver scan abnormalities. The procedure is safe, cheap, and allows adequate assessment of intra-abdominal malignancy in a high proportion of patients.
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000267:Tissue Adhesions; D014463:Ultrasonography