Role of peritoneoscopy in the postoperative evaluation and treatment of adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas

Abstract
Experience with peritoneoscopy in the postoperative staging and evaluation of 10 patients with localy unresectable adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas is presented. In contrast to the German experience with previously unexplored patients, the pancreas was visualized only 30% of the time and biopsy was not possible for technical reasons. Based on experience in these 10 patients, postoperative peritoneoscopy for staging or for following the effectiveness of treatment is of limited value in carcinoma of the pancreas. Preoperative evaluation of this technique deserves greater attention.