title: Diagnostic laparoscopy: a survey of 92 patients.
abstract: From January 1991 to June 1993 the authors performed 92 diagnostic laparoscopies when physical examination, laboratory tests, and noninvasive imaging techniques failed to provide accurate diagnoses. Thirty-three patients (36%) underwent laparoscopy to ensure or exclude diagnosis in suspected intra-abdominal malignancy or to assess the operability in the cases of known cancer; 31 patients (34%) were evaluated for chronic abdominal pain; 15 patients (16%) were evaluated for acute abdominal pain; 9 trauma patients (10%) were evaluated to exclude or confirm penetration of the peritoneum or laceration of intra-abdominal organs; and 4 patients (4%) were operated on for miscellaneous conditions. Of the 92 patients, laparoscopy led to diagnosis in 80 patients (87%), a laparotomy was avoided in 78 patients (85%), and operative treatment was done laparoscopically in 65 patients (71%). Diagnostic laparoscopy will not replace laparotomy in every instance. However, in selected groups of patients, it may be used to yield diagnosis and help to avoid unnecessary laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Second Surgical Unit, AKH Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schrenk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Woisetschläger
authors.forename: W U
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Wayand
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sulzbacher
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results