Abstract
Between 1970 and 1983, we performed 1121 diagnostic laparoscopies in 1119 patients. More than 50% of the examinations were performed for malignant disease. An adequate examination was accomplished in 917 (82%) procedures. The most frequent reason for inadequate evaluation was the presence of dense intraabdominal adhesions from previous surgery. We observed 105 (9.4%) minor complications and 20 (1.8%) major complications including one death following hemorrhage from liver biopsy. Major complications included abdominal wall hematoma, perforated abdominal viscus, hemoperitoneum, bleeding from liver biopsy, and respiratory depression. We observed a trend to decreased use of laparoscopy. Ascites of unknown origin and certain specific situations in patients with chronic liver disease remain as major indications for this diagnostic technique.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sanowski RA, Sarles H Jr, Bellapravalu S, Haynes W: Current status and future of laparoscopy—is it a dying endoscopic procedure? Gastrointest Endosc 30:148–149, 1984
Kane MG, Krejs GJ: Complications of diagnostic laparoscopy in Dallas: A 7-year prospective study. Gastrointest Endosc 30:237–240, 1984
Gandolfi L, Rossi A, Leo P, Solmi L, Muratori R: Indications for laparoscopy before and after the introduction of ultrasonography. Gastrointest Endosc 31:1–3, 1985
Bruehl W: Zwischenfaelle und komplikationen bei der laparoskopie und gezielten leberpunktion. Dstch Med Wochenschr 51:2297–2299, 1966
Henning H: The Dallas report on laparoscopic complications. Gastrointest Endosc 31:104–105, 1985 (letter)
Pagliaro L, Rinaldi F, Craxi A, DiPiazza S, Filippazzo G, Galto G, Genova G, Magrin S, Maringhini A, Orsini S, Palazzo V, Spinello M, Vinci M: Percutaneous blind biopsy versus laparoscopy with guided biopsy in diagnosis of cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci 28:39–43, 1983
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Groen, P.C., Rakela, J., Christopher Moore, S. et al. Diagnostic laparoscopy in gastroenterology. Digest Dis Sci 32, 677–681 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01296131
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01296131