[Detection of liver metastases in colorectal neoplasms: use of intraoperative echography].

Fifty patients were consecutively operated on for colorectal cancer. Preoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative palpation were compared to intraoperative ultrasonography to determine their relative capacities in the detection of liver metastases. Preoperative ultrasonography detected metastases in three patients (6%), intraoperative palpation in four (8%) and intraoperative ultrasonography in 5 (10%). The number of metastases detected were 7, 19 and 19 respectively. The comparison failed to yield significant differences. From statistical viewpoint, both preoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative palpation were found to be as effective as intraoperative ultrasonography in detecting liver metastases.