Laparoscopic surgery in neonates and infants.

Between 1978 and 1991 a total of 136 operations with the laparoscope have been performed. 79 additional laparoscopies were carried out for diagnostic purposes. The most frequent indications for operative laparoscopy were: adhesions, abdominal cysts, tumors, gonadectomy, appendectomy and cholecystectomy. Diagnostic laparoscopies were performed for the differential diagnosis of cholestasis, chronic abdominal pain, intersex and cryptorchidism. The only complication was a scar hernia in a 1,400 gram preterm baby. We recommend laparoscopy because of its smaller trauma and the reduced postoperative complication rate. Furthermore, an advantage is the magnification by the lupes and video, the excellent illumination and exposure.