Using celioscopy to determine stages of intra-abdominal malignant neoplasms.

From January 1973 through June 1974, 23 patients underwent celloscopy to assess the extent of intra-abdominal malignancy. Of the 23 patients in the study, eight were spared a needless exploratory procedure. Three patients had potentially curative surgery after intrahepatic neoplasm suggested by liver scintiscan was excluded by celloscopy. The therapies of eight patients were greatly altered after the extent of hepatic or peritoneal disease was de-ermined. Four patients had no change in treatment as a result of celloscopy. Three additional patients underwent celloscopy to determine the cause of an intra-abdominal mass. No complications occurred in these patients. We conclude that celloscopy prior to a major operative procedure may assist in determining the stage of intra-abdominal malignant disease and may lead to notable changes in patient management.