Role Of Diagnostic Laparoscopy Research Articles

Role of laparohysteroscopy in women with normal pelvic imaging and failed ovulation stimulation with intrauterine insemination

CONTEXT:Women with primary infertility and no obvious pelvic pathology on clinical evaluation and imaging are either treated empirically or further investigated by laparoscopy.AIMS:The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in women who fail to conceive after empirical treatment with ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination was evaluated.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Retrospective study at a private infertility center.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A study of patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2008 was performed. Those patients who had no detectable pathology based on history, physical examination, and ultrasound and had treatment for three or more cycles in the form of ovulation induction and IUI were included in the study. Moderate and severe male factor infertility and history of any previous surgery were exclusion criteria.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:Data were statistically analyzed using Statistics Package for Social Sciences (ver. 16.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago).RESULTS:Of the 127 women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, 87.4% (n = 111) of patients had positive findings. Significant pelvic pathology (moderate endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tubal pathology) was seen in 26.8% of cases.CONCLUSION:One in four women had significant pelvic pathology where treatment could possibly improve future fertility. Diagnostic laparoscopy has a role in infertile women with no obvious abnormality before they proceed to more aggressive treatments.

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in couples treated for unexplained infertility in the fast track and standard treatment (FASTT) trial

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in couples treated for unexplained infertility in the fast track and standard treatment (FASTT) trial

Transomental defects as a cause of chronic abdominal pain, the role of diagnostic laparoscopy: a case series

IntroductionTransomental herniation is a rare but recognised clinical condition, which usually presents as an emergency with bowel obstruction. It accounts for 1-4% of intra-abdominal herniations. We reviewed 3 patients found to have a transomental defect during elective diagnostic laparoscopy performed for chronic abdominal pain. To our knowledge, there is no case series reported in the literature on transomental defect in the non-emergency situation.Case presentationA retrospective case note analysis of 3 patients, found to have transomental defect during elective diagnostic laparoscopy, was undertaken. Data were gathered with respect to clinical presentation, investigations performed, transomental defect size and outcome of surgery. All patients were followed up for 6 months post-operatively. Three females (age range 18-35 years) were referred with a 3-10 year history of chronic intermittent abdominal pain, often postprandial. Blood tests, radiological investigations (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography, small bowel studies) and endoscopy were all normal. In each case, diagnostic laparoscopy revealed the presence of a peripheral defect in the greater omentum, but no actual small bowel herniation. No other pathology was found. These defects were resected, which subsequently led to complete resolution of the patients’ symptoms.ConclusionChronic abdominal pain of unknown aetiology with normal radiological findings may be caused by intermittent obstruction due to small bowel herniation through a transomental defect. This should be considered during elective diagnostic laparoscopy, in the absence of any other obvious pathology. The omentum should be thoroughly inspected as a discrete entity and any such defects should be closed or resected.

Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in management of acute abdomen

1. All strategies for the management of acute abdomen underline the need for an interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis and therapy. This requires focused and intelligent use of efficient diagnostic procedures. Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) may be a key to solving the diagnostic dilemma of nonspecific acute abdomen. Furthermore, it allows not only direct inspection of the abdominal cavity but also surgical intervention, if needed 2 Diagnostic laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the visual examination of intraabdominal organs in order to detect pathology.

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in micropremmies with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis

The timely diagnosis of perforations or dead gut can be extremely difficult in micropremmies with necrotizing enterocolitis. A negative laparotomy is just as detrimental as failure to recognize early perforation in this group of patients. We have been exploring the role of microlaparoscopy using a needlescope to determine if this modality is feasible and useful in the surgical management of these patients. We report our technique and initial experience with needlescopic diagnosis. Four patients (weight >500 to <1000 g) with abdominal distension and clinical sepsis not responsive to aggressive medical treatment were included in this study. None had radiologic evidence of pneumatosis or perforation. There was no absolute surgical indication for laparotomy except for strong suspicion of a surgical cause. Needlescopic diagnosis was performed in all these patients. There was no evidence of perforation or bile in the abdominal cavity in one patient. This patient improved on medical management, avoiding a laparotomy. The rest had bile or fibrin in the abdominal fluid with a localized perforation, and in each case we performed a microlaparotomy directly over the site of perforation to create a stoma. Needlescopic diagnosis is feasible and appears to be safe, even in critically ill micropremmies less than 1000 g. The technique can provide useful information for surgical decision-making and allows for precise placement of a microlaparotomy incision over the site of perforation, thus minimizing the trauma from open surgery in this special group of patients. We are currently expanding its role in patients with overt perforations to determine if we can limit the extent of surgical exploration without compromising the adequacy of surgical management.

Laparoscopic repair of obturator hernia

Management of patients presenting with bowel obstruction secondary to oburator hernia is difficult due to the rarity of the condition. Herein, two patients with incarcerated obturator hernia are presented, and the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in their management is discussed. A new surgical approach, transabdominal repair with dual mesh, is described.

Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in diagnosis and management of postoperative complications of gastric bypass patients

Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in diagnosis and management of postoperative complications of gastric bypass patients

The Role of Laparoscopy in Penetrating Abdominal Stab Wounds

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) in abdominal stab wounds (ASWs) is not clearly defined. We hypothesized that peritoneal penetration (PP) during DL was a valid indication to convert to an exploratory laparotomy (EL). Retrospective review of hemodynamically stable ASWs requiring operation. A total of 161 patients with ASWs were identified, with 36 of 92 patients (39.1%) undergoing DL converted to EL. All 36 patients had PP; 20 of 36 (55.6%) ELs were therapeutic (TL). The number of nontherapeutic laparotomies (NTLs) prevented was 56 (60.9%). Five of 92 patients had PP on DL but did not undergo EL. Twenty-four of 69 patients who underwent initial EL had an NTL (34.8%). If this group had undergone an initial DL, and PP was used to determine need for EL, the number of NTLs would have been reduced to 10 (14.5%), a 58.3% reduction. Evidence of PP during DL is a reasonable indicator to determine the need for EL and reduce the number of NTLs.

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy in differentiation between tuberculous peritonitis and malignancy: Waleed A Hamed Dr, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh United Kingdom; Mamoun Ashour Prof., Mabarek Hussin Prof., Mahmoud Massoud Prof, Abdelgany Bebers Prof, Ain Shams Univ Hospitals, Cairo Egypt; Peter C Hayes Prof, Royal Infirmary Of Edinburgh, Cairo United Kingdom

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy in differentiation between tuberculous peritonitis and malignancy: Waleed A Hamed Dr, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh United Kingdom; Mamoun Ashour Prof., Mabarek Hussin Prof., Mahmoud Massoud Prof, Abdelgany Bebers Prof, Ain Shams Univ Hospitals, Cairo Egypt; Peter C Hayes Prof, Royal Infirmary Of Edinburgh, Cairo United Kingdom

Papel de la laparoscopia diagnóstica en la evaluación de la infertilidad femenina

La controversia alrededor del papel de laparoscopia diagnóstica de rutina se origina de la comprensión incompleta de varios temas médicos en discusión. No obstante, existe consenso en varios puntos; primero, hay varios medios confiables no invasivos para confirmar la permeabilidad tubárica existente. Por tanto, el costo y los riesgos de la laparoscopia excluyen el uso de la laparoscopia para confirmar únicamente la permeabilidad tubárica, la cual puede ser documentada por imágenes radiológicas o sonografícas. En contraposición, la inspección visual directa del peritoneo pélvico, otorga una gran sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de endometriosis y adherencias que comprometen los órganos reproductivos. Además, esta modalidad permite un tratamiento inmediato de la mayoría de estas condiciones. La infertilidad inexplicada es un diagnóstico que requiere de la apariencia normal de los órganos pélvicos a la inspección visual.El valor pronóstico de la laparoscopia diagnóstica y tratamientos permanecen en la área de lo controversial. La prevalencia real de la no clínicamente detectada pero importante enfermedad adherencial esta entre un 20 a un 42% y los beneficios del tratamiento laparoscópico en cuanto a tasas de embarazo intra uterino se encuentran entre un 58 y 62%.Las tasas de embarazo en la adhesiolisis laparoscópica de fimbria tubárica o fimbrioplastia están alrededor del 35%, con una tasa de embarazo ectópico entre el 9,7 y el 14%. Aunque parece que las tasas de embarazo se incrementan después del la reparación de la enfermedad adherencial, la tasa de reformación adherencial no se debe subestimar. Un estudio multicéntrico en 1991, mostró una reformación de adherencias en el 97% de las pacientes en el 66% de los sitios donde se realizó la adhesiolisis47. Por tanto, en consonancia con la reformación de adherencias, la laparoscopia no ofrece un beneficio sustancial comparado con la laparotomía.Con relación a la endometriosis, se ha observado que esta patología se encuentra en un gran porcentaje de pacientes infértiles, asintomáticas, las cuales no se embarazan después de un periodo expectante de manejo; estudios aleatorizados han demostrado que el manejo laparoscópico de la endometriosis mínima y leve mejora las tasas de embarazo en un 30,7% versus el manejo expectante con una tasa de embarazo del 17,7%. Aunque el mecanismo de la infertilidad asociada a la endometriosis mínima y leve no tiene una explicación clara, el tratamiento de esta patología con hiperestimulación controlada e inseminación intra uterina mejora las tasas de embarazo mensual, en comparación con el tratamiento expectante.En conclusión, el papel de la laparoscopia diagnóstica en pacientes con histerosalpingografía normal debe ser reconsiderado, ya que ésta ha cambiado las decisiones de tratamiento en un inesperado alto número de pacientes con subfertilidad masculina, cérvix hostil e infertilidad inexplicada hasta en un 25%. Por consiguiente, estos hallazgos sugieren la realización de estudios prospectivos futuros para evaluar si retrasar o pasar por alto la laparoscopia diagnóstica es más costo-efectivo y si la intervención laparoscópica de anormalidades intraabdominales es efectiva en términos de mejorar las tasas de embarazo después de un tratamiento con inseminación intrauterina.

Laparoscopy in pediatric urology.

Laparoscopic surgery in pediatric urology is beginning to accelerate in its application and this has been reflected in increasing series of progressively more complex procedures. To review these, and assess the character of this evolution, articles dealing with diagnostic and operative laparoscopic surgery from mid 2002 to late 2003 have been reviewed. Several important trends can be seen, including the emergence of increasing numbers of multi-center studies, comparative assessments between properly matched open procedures, as well as comparisons between various laparoscopic techniques. The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in cryptorchidism seems well established, although attempts at being more selective in its application have been published. Operative procedures are being performed to include not only simple removal of tissues, but also reconstructive procedures such as pyeloplasty in more than anecdotal numbers. A strong emphasis has been placed on retroperitoneal access, which is inherently more attractive, but the challenges of this technique are evident. Ultimately it should become more efficient with experience. There has been a steady and progressively more widespread application of laparoscopic techniques in pediatric urology, which has been somewhat slow to develop compared with adult laparoscopy. It seems likely that this progression will continue to accelerate.

Diagnostic laparoscopy.

Diagnostic laparoscopy began in a surgical unit in a developing country in 1972. The developers of this technique aimed to hasten diagnosis, reduce patient distress, and improve bed utilization in an overcrowded teaching hospital wherein simple investigations such as x-rays took weeks to materialize. Over a period of 18 years reaching to 1990, 3,200 diagnostic laparoscopies were performed on adults under local anesthesia with no mortality, a complication rate of 0.09%, an 84% diagnosis rate, and 74% undergoing histologic biopsies targeting a wide spectrum of pathology. The equipment cost spread out over the 3,200 patients works out to 30 rupees (0.60 dollar) per patient. With the availability of noninvasive diagnostic aids such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging used US, CT, MRI under the control of target biopsy, the role of diagnostic laparoscopy has altered. Since 1990, clinicians have had the sophistication of the video camera and the pneumoperitoneum insufflator. Diagnostic laparoscopy is used for the evaluation of liver and peritoneal pathology, abdominal tuberculosis, malignancy, acute abdomen, and abdominal trauma. It often is a prelude to laparoscopic treatment of the underlying pathology, specifically in cases of acute appendicitis.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Periampullary and Pancreatic Cancer: What Is the True Benefit?

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with periampullary and pancreatic malignancies is controversial. A retrospective review was performed including all patients (n = 188) with a periampullary or pancreatic malignancy who underwent both CT and laparotomy at our institution between January 1997 and December 1999. The overall resectability rate for all periampullary cancers was 67.3% (115 of 171 patients). This compared favorably with the resectability rate for cancers of the pancreatic body and tail (3 of 17 patients, 17.6%; P < 0.01 vs. periampullary cancers). Fifty percent of patients with periampullary cancers were unresectable because of metastatic disease, whereas metastatic disease precluded resection in 64.3% of patients with cancers of the pancreatic body and tail. After patients undergoing operative palliation were eliminated, a nontherapeutic laparotomy would have been precluded by the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in only 2.3% of patients with periampullary cancers (4 of 171 patients). In contrast, 6 (35.3%) of 17 patients with cancers of the pancreatic body and tail underwent a nontherapeutic laparotomy ( P < 0.01 vs. periampullary cancers). One hundred fifty-eight (84%) of the 188 CT reports reviewed could be definitively categorized as either “likely to be resectable” or “likely to be unresectable.” The remaining 16% were equivocal. Of the 107 patients categorized as likely to be resectable, 89 were actually resected (83.2%). In contrast, only 10 of the 51 patients categorized as likely to be unresectable could be resected (19.6%). ( J Gastrointest Surg 2002;6:75–81.)

The role of laparoscopy in the management of suspected recurrent pediatric hernias

Background: This report examines recurrent pediatric groin hernias and the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the management of these recurrences. Methods: A chart review of 19 children presenting with recurrent hernias was performed, analyzing the type of primary hernia, nature of recurrence, preexisting medical conditions, surgical complications at primary repair, and time to recurrence. Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) was used during the remedial repair of the last nine patients. Results: Seventeen indirect hernias were repaired during the primary repair, and 1 femoral hernia was identified. In one child, no inguinal hernia was identified at the initial operation. Overall, 11 recurrences were found to consist of indirect sacs, and 4 were found to have attenuation of the inguinal floor. Four additional recurrences were found to be femoral hernias. In only 1 patient was a wound factor (infection) thought to play a role in the recurrence. Diagnostic laparoscopy in 9 patients found 4 (44%) to have unsuspected intraoperative findings. Four femoral hernias were identified (3 with unsuspected contralateral femoral hernias). Additionally, 1 unsuspected recurrence of an indirect sac was identified. Conclusions: Laparoscopy accurately identifies the nature of the defect in children with recurrent groin hernias, detecting unsuspected contralateral indirect, direct, or femoral hernias in 44% of those undergoing laparoscopy. J Pediatr Surg 35:1205-1208. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Macroscopic assessment of the appendix at diagnostic laparoscopy is reliable.

Healthy-looking appendixes are often removed at laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. This practice may have adverse secondary effects. We reviewed the literature for the years 1978 to 1998 to analyze the negative appendectomy rates, complication rates, the accuracy of laparoscopic appendix assessment, and the incidence of false negative diagnosis of appendicitis at surgical and gynecological laparoscopy. The respective negative appendectomy rates were 22% and 15% in studies that compared laparoscopic with open appendectomy. The appendix was left in situ in 37% of 4,281 surgical diagnostic laparoscopies. There were instances of missed appendicitis among the 3,367 gynecological diagnostic laparoscopies performed on women for lower abdominal pain, and there were 188 appendectomies in this group. Studies comparing the macroscopic appearance of the appendix at operation with microscopic findings from the excised specimen had a false negative error rate of 3%. Contrary to general opinion, there is no substantial evidence to support the assumption that the macroscopic diagnosis of appendicitis is unreliable. High rates of conflicting diagnoses of excision specimens suggest that endoappendicitis has little clinical significance. At present, negative appendectomy rates are considerably higher for laparoscopic appendectomy than for the open approach. The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in suspected appendicitis should be reconsidered. It may be useful in particular subgroups of patients, but it is no substitute for good clinical judgment. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to perform an incidental appendectomy.

Trochar site metastasis after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical squamous cell carcinoma

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the staging of uterine malignancies is not well defined. Recent experimental studies suggest that laparoscopic surgery for abdominal malignancy may be w x associated with increased tumor implantation 1 . Clinical reports of port site metastasis following laparoscopic resection of intra-abdominal malignancy suggest that laparoscopy promotes tumor metastasis to wounds. We present a case of metastasis to four laparoscopic trochar sites in a 33-year-old patient with squamous cell cervical carcinoma, stage Ib2 FIGO submitted to pelvic laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, with positive lymph nodes metastasies in both pelvic lymph node chains. Six weeks after laparoscopy when the patient

Experience with staging laparoscopy in pancreatic malignancy

Background: The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the staging of abdominal malignancies is not well defined. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the usefulness of diagnostic laparoscopy as a staging procedure in pancreatic malignancy. This experience between February 1988 and May 1997 involves 109 cases of suspected or proven pancreatic malignancy. All laparoscopies were performed with the patient under conscious sedation and local anesthesia in an endoscopy suite. Results: Of the 109 patients with pancreatic cancer, 45 (42%) had metastatic disease. The use of computed tomography (CT) alone revealed the existence of liver metastases in 10 of 109 (9%) patients, which were confirmed laparoscopically. The further use of laparoscopy identified metastases in 29 more cases: hepatic, 23; hepatic and peritoneal, 3; peritoneal and mesenteric, 1; and mesenteric, 2. CT in conjunction with laparoscopy therefore revealed metastatic liver, peritoneal, or mesenteric lesions in 39 of 109 (36%) patients with pancreatic cancer. After staging laparoscopy, 67 of 69 patients underwent laparotomy. Metastatic disease was identified at laparotomy in 6 more patients; however, only 4 of these patients had metastases to the liver whereas 2 had metastases to the peripancreatic lymph nodes. Therefore, in patients with pancreatic malignancy, the negative predictive value for the diagnosis of metastases to the liver, peritoneum or mesentery was 94% (61 of 65 patients). The positive predictive value of laparoscopy alone for the detection of metastatic disease to the liver, peritoneum, or mesentery was 88% (29 of 33 patients). Laparoscopy was successfully performed without complications in all patients with pancreatic cancer; however, one had a technically unsatisfactory examination. The overall rate of resectability after staging by imaging studies and laparoscopy was 57% (35 of 61 patients). Conclusions: In patients with a negative CT for metastases, laparoscopic identification of metastases avoided unnecessary laparotomy in 29 of 99 (29%) patients with pancreatic cancer. Staging laparoscopy is indicated in all cases of pancreatic malignancy before an attempt at a surgical cure. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;49:498-503.)

The Role of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Pancreatic and Periampullary Malignancies

Background: The role of diagnostic laparoscopy before laparotomy in patients with pancreatic or periampullary malignancies remains controversial. We analyzed the value of using diagnostic laparoscopy to avoid laparotomy in these patients. Study Design: Between November 1993 and December 1996, 254 patients with pancreatic or periampullary malignancies were treated. In 74 patients, multiple distant metastases precluded further surgical treatment. In all, 180 patients underwent laparotomy for pancreatic cancer (119 patients) or periampullary cancer (61 patients). Preoperatively, all patients underwent computed tomography for staging and to assess resectability of the tumor. Based on the results of the imaging procedure, the patients were scheduled for either tumor resection or a palliative operation. Results: Twenty-one of 180 patients (12%) with pancreatic or periampullary malignancies were scheduled preoperatively for nonresectional operations because of distant metastasis or retroperitoneal tumor infiltration. In none of these patients was the operative strategy changed. In 159 of 180 patients (88%), a pancreatic resection was planned preoperatively; 119 patients underwent pancreatic resection. In the remaining 40 patients preoperatively scheduled for tumor resection, removal of the tumor was not possible. In 24, this resulted from tumor infiltration into the retropancreatic vessels, and in 16 it resulted from liver or peritoneal metastasis detected for the first time intraoperatively. These 16 patients (10%) could have benefited from diagnostic laparoscopy. Similar results were found in the subgroup of 119 patients with pancreatic cancer, of whom 102 were planned for tumor resection and 17 for palliative operation. Of the 102 patients planned preoperatively for tumor resection, 71 patients (70%) underwent pancreatic resection. In the remaining 31 patients scheduled for tumor resection, removal of the tumor was not possible: in 17 because of tumor infiltration into the retropancreatic vessels and in 14 because of liver or peritoneal metastasis detected for the first time intraoperatively. These 14 patients (14%) also would have benefited from laparoscopy. Conclusions: Preoperative computed tomography is a reliable technique to detect tumor metastasis in patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer. Unlike other investigators, we found that only 10% of patients with periampullary or pancreatic cancer and 14% of patients with pancreatic cancer might profit from laparoscopy. Because of this low number, laparoscopy cannot generally be recommended for patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer before laparotomy.

Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy for penetrating abdominal trauma: a multicenter experience.

Considerable skepticism still exists about the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the evaluation of penetrating abdominal trauma. The reported experience with therapeutic laparoscopy has been limited. Retrospective analysis of a collective experience from three large urban trauma centers with 510 patients (316 stab wounds, 194 gunshot wounds) who were hemodynamically stable and had no urgent indications for celiotomy. Laparotomy was avoided in 277 of the 510 patients (54.3%) either because of nonpenetration or insignificant findings on laparoscopy. All were discharged uneventfully after a mean hospital stay of 1.7 days. Twenty-six had successful therapeutic procedures on laparoscopy (diaphragmatic repair in 16 patients, cholecystectomy in 1 patient, hepatic repair in 6 patients, and closure of gastrotomy in 3 patients) with uneventful recovery. In the remaining 203 patients, laparotomy was therapeutic in 155. Fifty-two patients had nontherapeutic celiotomy for exclusion of bowel injuries or as mandatory laparotomy for penetrating gunshot wounds (19.7%). The overall incidence of nontherapeutic laparotomy was 10.2%. Complications from laparoscopy were minimal (10 of 510) and minor. Laparoscopy has an important diagnostic role in stable patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. In carefully selected patients, therapeutic laparoscopy is practical, feasible, and offers all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Diagnostic laparoscopy by physicians: we should do it.

Only a few centres in the UK practise diagnostic laparoscopy and liver biopsy; in comparison, laparoscopy is widely practised by physicians in Europe, the Far East and in the US. We consider the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the assessment of liver disease in the 1990s, and describe the technique of laparoscopy, including how it may be performed safely in the endoscopy suite, under local anesthesia with mild sedation and analgesia, enabling direct visualization of the liver. We examine potential complications and contraindications. Complication rate and mortality are similar to that for percutaneous liver biopsy. Finally, the invaluable role of laparoscopy in diagnosing and staging chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumours, hepatic infiltration, infection and structural abnormalities is considered.