[Peritoneoscopy in differential diagnosis of jaundice]

162 endoscopic studies were conducted in 158 patients. It was found that in obscure cases peritoneoscopy could be successfully employed for differential diagnosis between mechanic and parenchymatous jaundice. Irrespective of the duration of jaundice a reliable information can be obtained endoscopically, in particular in bilirubinemia being over 5 mg%. A peritoneoscopic conclusion as to the character of jaundice was correct in 87% of cases. By means of peritoneoscopy, judging by the appearance of the liver, one could have an idea about the site and character of obturation of bile ducts in over a half of patients.