Laparoscopic sonography during abdominal laparoscopic surgery: technique and imaging findings.

Abstract

Laparoscopy is becoming the preferred approach for managing several abdominal disorders. The main limitations of laparoscopic surgery and diagnostic laparoscopy are the loss of the surgeon's tactile feedback and the inability to undertake a complete internal evaluation of solid parenchyma. Probes for laparoscopic sonography have been introduced to compensate for the limitations of laparoscopic surgery and to increase the diagnostic efficacy of laparoscopy [1]. In this article we describe our experience with laparoscopic sonography and illustrate the normal anatomic findings and some applications in biliary surgery and other abdominal laparoscopic procedures.