Diagnostic laparoscopy

Abstract

Diagnosis of abdominal pathological conditions can be inconclusive with conventional methods of investigations. Diagnostic laparoscopy offers a minimal access route to diagnose or confirm a presumed diagnosis and possibly treat the condition at the same time. The chapter outlines the options in operation room setup, positioning of the patient, special instruments required for the various procedures and the port placement sites depending on the location of the pathology in the abdomen. The indications, contraindications, preoperative considerations and technical considerations for diagnostic laparoscopy have been listed. Possible procedural variations have been outlined. The surgical options in appendiceal masses, stoma closure, laparoscopic assisted cholangiography and antenatally diagnosed small-bowel atresias have been explained using a series of high quality images. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.