Open laparoscopy with conventional instrumentation.

Forty women who had undergone previous abdominal surgical procedures were evaluated by open laparoscopy with a simple technique that required no special instrumentation. Gynecologic problems included infertility, suspected endometriosis and/or pelvic adhesions, ovarian cysts, and second-look laparoscopy after treatment for ovarian cancer. The technique was evaluated in regard to ease of performance in patients with various abdominal incisions. Conventional instrumentation was used. No significant side effects were experienced and anesthesia time was prolonged by no more than 10 to 20 minutes in most cases. Significant subincisional adhesions were found in 35% of patients. It is suggested that open laparoscopy in patients who have had previous abdominal surgery deserves reevaluation.