Laparoscopy following abdominal operations

A retrospective study has been conducted to find out the effects of preceding abdominal operations on the validity of laparoscopic examinations. The study included 1658 laparoscopies performed at the Robert Rössle Institute from January 1, 1975, to June 30,1977. 467 patients had previously undergone one or several operations; in 124 patients adhesions had been started while the patient had not undergone any laparotomy at all. In the judgement of essential abdominal organs there are no differences between patients with and without adhesions, who had not undergone any operations previously. Even after laparotomies of the epigastrium, satisfactory judgement of the organs is possible. Since the result of laparoscopy is decisive for further therapeutical measures, it should be carried out also after surgical interventions, clear indication and sufficient skill of the examiner provided.