Clinical analysis of laparoscopic exploration in diagnosis of ascites of unknown origin

Objective:To investigate the value of laparoscopic exploration in patients with ascites of unknown origin.Methods:Laparoscopic exploration was performed in 63 patients with ascites of unknown origin.All the suspected tissues were taken for pathologic examination.The clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The diagnosis of sixty-one patients was definite by laparoscopy.Among them,the major cause was tuberculous peritonitis(31/63),the second was metastatic adenocarcinoma(20/63),the third was peritoneal mesothelioma(8/63),the last was lymphoma(2/63).No post-operative complications occurred.Conclusions:Laparoscopic exploration is safe and effective for the determination of origin of ascites.