Laparoscopy in fever of unknown origin - study of seventy cases

Laparoscopy was performed on 70 patients with FUO after clinical review and when bacteriological, serological and radiological investigations had failed to reveal the diagnosis. Laparoscopy proved helpful in making the diagnosis in 68.4% of these patients; in 44.2% it provided a definite diagnosis, and in 24.2% it contributed significantly to the establishment of a diagnosis. Laparoscopy was of most use (76.6%) in those patients with physical signs or biochemical results suggestive of an abdominal disorder. In the absence of such sign laparoscopy was helpful in only 20.0% of patients. There was no mortality, and morbidity was insignificant. It is our conclusion that laparoscopy can be recommended in FUO, particularly in patients with signs of abdominal disease.