The role of restaging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease

The role of restaging laparotomy (RL) in Hodgkin's disease was studied in 41 patients. Two patients were in clinical stage I, 16 in clinical stage II, 13 in clinical stage III and 10 in clinical stage IV. Eight cases had previously received radiation therapy alone, 26 chemotherapy and 7 combined chemo-, and radiotherapy. The patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on the results of the preoperative clinical reevaluation. Group 1 included 20 patients with suspicion of persistent disease; in 6 (30%) RL was positive. Group 2 consisted of 21 cases with clinical appearance of complete response; RL was positive in one case (4.7%). The results of the comparison confirm the high rate of false positive findings in CT and lymphography. RL appears as a valuable procedure in patients with positive or doubtful clinical findings at reevaluation after radical therapy, in order to reduce the risk of unnecessary treatment.