Staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's lymphoma: 1979 to 1988.

A retrospective review of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing staging laparotomy was done. Ninety-four patients were identified for analysis. Preoperative lymphangiography was performed in 86 patients, and computed tomography of the abdomen was performed in 53. Both proved to have an accuracy rate of 76%. Mortality and 30-day morbidity rates were 0% and 17%, respectively, when both major (8%) and minor (10%) complications were considered. Late complications (greater than 30 days) were noted in 5%. The results of the laparotomy required a change in staging in 28% of patients, with alterations in subsequent clinical management occurring in 18%. In selected patients, staging laparotomy is safe and remains a reliable means of determining the intra-abdominal extent of Hodgkin's lymphoma.