Peritoneoscopy for surgeons.

Peritoneoscopy is an invasive procedure. With attention to detail and a degree of dexterity which is inherent to surgery the procedure has been found safe in over 2,500 cases. Peritoneoscopy must always be a sequel to careful clinical examination. The greatest advantage of peritoneoscopy over all other diagnostic modalities is that peritoneoscopic diagnosis is a final histological diagnosis and has no element of shadow, image or conjecture. Peritoneoscopy has its greatest value in the diagnosis of liver pathology, in ascites, jaundice, malignancy and tuberculosis especially if non-invasive scanning techniques are not available. When used with discretion, it has some value in the management of the acute abdomen. Surgeons will be gratified to find the extent to which the peritoneoscope can help arrive at an early histological diagnosis, plan surgery, reduce morbidity by avoiding unnecessary surgery and shorten hospitalisation.