Laparoscopy in the diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. A study of 98 cases.

Ninety-eight cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder were studied by laparoscopy from 1968 to 1982. The gallbladder was completely explored in 48 patients. Hard white plaques of the gallbladder wall were noted in 30 patients. Local metastases were found in 89 patients. A diagnosis of malignancy by biopsy was made in 90% of cases although only three biopsies were taken from the gallbladder itself. Laparoscopy is useful in identifying those rare cases where radical surgical intervention may improve survival.