[Laparoscopic intraoperative differential diagnosis of adnexal tumors. A pilot study of 20 premenopausal patients].

AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility and potential clinical value of laparoscopic intraoperative sonography in the female genital tract.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: Intraoperative ultrasound was performed in 20 consecutive premenopausal patients with adnexal masses during laparoscopy using a 7.5 MHz semiflexible transducer.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic ultrasound of the female genital tract improves image resolution. Furthermore, this new method allows accurate localisation of early tubal pregnancy and may be helpful if laparoscopic evaluation of the inner genital tract is impaired by severe adhesions. In 7 out of 20 patients, the therapeutical procedure was clearly influenced by the laparoscopic ultrasound findings, resulting in a benefit for the patients in all seven cases.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound may improve minimal invasive management of adnexal masses.