Work in progress: intraoperative abdominal ultrasound.

Intraoperative ultrasound examination of the liver, biliary tree, pancreas, and kidney is described. Twenty-three patients were included in the study. In the authors' view the three important indications for operating room sonography of the abdomen are (a) locating biliary, pancreatic, or renal calculi, (b) defining the echostructure and precise location of tumors, and (c) evaluating the spread of tumor. It is concluded that intraoperative ultrasound shortens the length of an operation and increases the safety of the surgical procedure since it is more precise than palpation by the surgeon.