Intraoperative sonography in patients with suspected liver metastases.

The correlation of preoperative sonography and intraoperative inspection and palpation of the liver with intraoperative sonography was studied in 77 patients. All underwent elective abdominal surgery for the treatment of verified malignant intra-abdominal tumours. Preoperative sonography findings differed from the intraoperative findings in 22 of the 77 patients (29%), intraoperative sonography being more reliable. Palpation differed from intraoperative sonography in 16 of 77 patients (21%), in three of whom the findings at intraoperative sonography altered therapy. Intraoperative sonography was most effective in detecting small previously undetected, nonpalable lesions deep in the liver parenchyma. There were no complications due to sonography. We recommend intraoperative sonography as a safe and diagnostically effective procedure for routine use in abdominal surgery.