The role of laparoscopy in acute pelvic infections.

54 patients presented by history, physical examination and laboratory tests with suspected pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The use of laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool proved in 13 cases (24%) that the presumptive diagnosis was incorrect. Bacteriological studies revealed chlamydial infection in 21 of 41 cases, in 6 cases only at laparoscopy in the pelvic cavity, gonococcal in 9 of 41 cases; mycoplasmas were identified in 15 cases, being the only pathogen in 7. In 9 cases, no recognized pathogens were isolated. Polymicrobism was frequent. Follow-up studies identified 5 cases of treatment failure; 2 of Gonococcus and 3 of Chlamydia, and detected 3 cases of Chlamydia which had not been identified initially. We discuss the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and for follow-up and treatment of PIDs.