Details of technique and results of staging laparotomy in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.

The operative procedure for staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease is described in detail. Of 18 patients undergoing this procedure, staging laparotomy changed the stage of disease and subsequent therapy in 38%. Complications of the operation were minor, occurring in only two patients. Abnormal lymphangiography and splenomegaly proved unreliable clinical diagnostic findings. Most disturbing was the 100% incidence of amenorrhea in the women receiving pelvic irradiation following oophoropexy.