[Importance of gynecological laparoscopy in diseases of the sigmoid in the aging].

During the last six years we have performed laparoscopy in 80 women older than 60 years of age. In 22 of these, the barium enema showed pathological colonic conditions (mostly diverticulosis or diverticulitis). Despite these findings laparoscopy was used as an additional and reliable diagnostic aid to exclude concomitant gynecological diseases. Of these 22 women, 16 had normal internal genital organs so that exploratory laparotomy could be avoided. In view of the high postoperative mortality in this age group this is regarded as a considerable advantage. In three women an additional gynecological disease requiring laparotomy was found. In two cases laparoscopic diagnosis was impossible because of extensive adhesions. In one patient the radiological diagnosis of diverticulitis was revised by laparoscopy which showed carcinoma of the sigmoid.