[Explorative laparoscopy or laparotomy? (author's transl)].

Explorative laparoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the abdominal cavity which, with the modern endoscopy tables, permits a considerably improved survey than formerly. Within one year, 105 patients were examined and a suspected tumor was confirmed 20 times in 57 patients. Metastases were sought 23 times in patients known to have a primary tumor, and demonstrated 11 times. The differential diagnosis of cholestasis was made 18 times, 6 times a negative cholecystogram required further clarification. Two of these showed an inoperable, infiltrating, growing carcinoma of the gall bladder. For the purpose of classification of lymphogranulomata, laparoscopy shows the advantage over laparotomy of careful magnifying observation of the surface of the liver which can be repeated as often as desired.