RT Book, Section A1 Ellison, E. Christopher A1 Zollinger, Jr., Robert M. A1 Pawlik, Timothy M. A1 Vaccaro, Patrick S. A1 Bitans, Marita A1 Baker, Anthony S. SR Print(0) ID 1187820529 T1 Diagnostic Laparoscopy T2 Zollinger’s Atlas of Surgical Operations, 11e YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260440850 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1187820529 RD 2024/11/08 AB Indications for diagnostic laparoscopy can be divided into three broad groups. Gynecologic conditions include infertility, endometriosis, primary amenorrhea, pelvic pain in the female, and to rule out appendicitis in women with pelvic pain. In an effort to accurately diagnose or stage cancer, patients with gastric, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer may undergo diagnostic laparoscopy to stage the disease and determine resectability or direct further treatment. In patients with intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, in whom lymphoma is a possibility, diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated to biopsy a representative lymph node to make the diagnosis. Benign conditions represent the third group that may benefit from diagnostic laparoscopy. Patients (typically those who have undergone previous abdominal procedures) with chronic abdominal pain and intermittent partial small bowel obstructions may benefit from diagnostic laparoscopy and adhesiolysis. Patients with symptoms suggestive of an inguinal hernia but who lack a clear inguinal hernia on physical examination may benefit from diagnostic laparoscopy. These patients may then be repaired laparoscopically. In patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia, laparoscopy can diagnose an inguinal hernia on the contralateral side to rule out a contralateral hernia. The laparoscopic incisions cause less pain, and there is a faster return to normal activities or work in the event that no therapeutic maneuvers are undertaken.