Laparoscopy in general surgery.

In the last seven years laparoscopy has become increasingly popular in North America. The procedure has been mainly embraced by the gynecologist. Other specialities have been relatively slow in recognizing its value. Laparoscopy has wide applications in general surgery. It is a useful tool in blunt abdominal trauma and often prevents laparotomy. In patients with acute abdominal conditions, when findings are atypical, uncertainty in diagnosis may be resolved by laparoscopy. In patients with malignant disease it permits assessment of the extent of the lesion and enables accurate selection of the mode of therapy. Numerous procedures per laparoscopy, including biopsies, division of adhesions, cholangiography and collection of samples for bacteriologic studies, may be carried out simultaneously. Complication associated with the procedure are few but may be severe. These can be avoided by careful adherence to proper technic.