Diagnostic laparotomy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Twenty patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were investigated by diagnostic laparotomy. These patients were seen over a 3 1/2 year period during which a total of 78 patients with NHL were seen. Laparotomy was considered unsuitable in 58 patients, either because widespread disease was easily demonstrated by simpler means or because of their poor general medical condition. Laparotomy revealed more extensive disease in 14 patients. Although laparotomy is proving to be a worthwhile investigative procedure, it is less likely to be useful as a routine investigation than is the case with Hodgkin's disease. Widespread involvement of mesenteric lymph nodes is common and among the 10 patients with a poor histological grade of tumour, 2 with negative laparotomy findings developed disease in the abdomen within 3 months of operation.