Impact of diagnostic laparoscopy on the management of gastric cancer

ABSTRACT

In this study, 50 patients with endosmotically proven gastric adencarcinoma were included. Ages of our patients ranged from 35 to 72 years [mean 54 years], with male predominance [male to female = 2.81]. The site of the tumours were in the antrum, body of the stomach, proximal 1/3 [20%],5 [10%], 4 [8%] and 2 [4%] cases, respectively. Ultrasonograhy, CT scan and laparoscopy were performed to patients. The sensitivity of the 3 modalities in detection of hepatic metastases were 26.7%, 46.7% and 86.7%, respectively, Also, the sensitivity of the 3 modalities in detection of peritoneal metastases were 33.3%, 16.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Laparoscopy avoided laparatomy in 18 [36%] of our patients We concluded that diagnostic laparasocopy is more accurate than other tests under investigations. It is of increasing imkportance in planning patient management with the use of non-operative methods of tumour palliation in patients with intraabdominal metastases