Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2005; 11(26): 4120-4123
Published online Jul 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i26.4120
Diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography with local anesthesia in hepatocellular carcinoma
Mariano Gómez-Rubio, Mercedes Moya-Valdés, Jesús García
Mariano Gómez-Rubio, Mercedes Moya-Valdés, Jesús García, Department of Digestive Diseases, Getafe University Hospital, Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Mariano Gómez-Rubio, Servicio de A. Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe,Carretera de Toledo Km 12 500, 28905 Getafe, Madrid, Spain. mgomezr.hugf@salud.madrid.org
Telephone: +34-916834501 Fax: +34-916834501
Received: September 8, 2004
Revised: October 2, 2004
Accepted: October 6, 2004
Published online: July 14, 2005
Abstract

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common digestive malignancy, remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound with local anesthesia as a diagnostic procedure in HCC. Laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound with local anesthesia was performed in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit in three patients diagnosed of HCC. Endoscopy staged diffuse liver disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography identified all liver tumors not visible during endoscopy and guided needle biopsy in one case. No complications happened. In conclusion, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound, performed as a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure can be a safe and very promising tool in planning therapy of HCC.

Keywords: Laparoscopy; Laparoscopic ultrasonography; Hepatocellular carcinoma