title: Diagnostic Value of Mini-laparoscopy in Patients with Abdominal Neoplasm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blood biochemistry, ascites tests, and imaging examinations have low sensitivities in abdominal neoplasm diagnoses. In addition, exploratory laparotomy is not suitable for final stage patients. Mini-laparoscopy has recently emerged as a new diagnostic technology for abdominal disease. The aim of this research was to evaluate the value of mini-laparoscopy in diagnosing abdominal neoplasms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and operational data were retrospectively analyzed in 20 cases with pathologically confirmed abdominal malignancies. Of these, 10 cases were each diagnosed by mini-laparoscopy and exploratory laparotomy. The surgical and anesthesia expenses, perioperative nursing, monitoring and treating charges, postoperative hospital stay and complications were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgical and anesthesia costs were statistically lower in patients who received a mini-laparoscopy (P<0.01). Perioperative drug expenses and nursing and monitoring charges were also significantly decreased (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Further, the gastrointestinal function recovery time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly reduced in the mini-laparoscopy group. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the preoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-laparoscopy effectively reduces surgical injury and treatment costs, and is capable of safely diagnosing abdominal tumors. Moreover, the procedure is also easy to perform.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Yan-Jun
authors: YJ
authors: Ni
authors: Shi-Yao
authors: SY
authors: Chen
keywords: Abdominal neoplasms; Diagnosis; Laparoscopy