Laparoscopic ultrasonography during conservative ovarian surgery.

BACKGROUND

Most surgery for benign ovarian mass is now performed laparoscopically. Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) in these operations.

METHODS

Forty patients treated by laparoscopic extirpation of a benign ovarian tumor were examined perioperatively using an Aloka 7.5-MHz laparoscopic probe. Findings of preoperative vaginal and perioperative laparoscopic ultrasonography were compared with histologic diagnoses. The accuracy of LUS in localizing the tumor in the ovary and ensuring surgical radicalness was evaluated.

RESULTS

LUS enabled correct diagnosis in 34/40 and vaginal ultrasonography in 27/40 cases. Localization of the tumor was possible by LUS in all and visually in 21 ovaries. In 2 patients a radical tumor extirpation was not possible without laparoscopic ultrasonographic guidance.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic accuracy in LUS is better than in vaginal ultrasonography. LUS facilitates exact tumor localization and can be useful in confirming the radicalness of operation.