Laparoscopy for Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Pain in Adolescent Girls

Between 1973 and 1976, laparoscopy was performed on 50 girls aged 12 to 18 years old for evaluation of abdominal pain severe enough to warrant hospitalization. In nine patients, a pelvic mass was suspected on physical examination or ultrasonography. Twenty-three patients had histories of previous episodes of salpingitis, but negative cultures at time of admission. Eighteen patients had no significant past medical history and normal physical findings. Laparoscopy established a diagnosis in 28 of the 50 patients, and in the 32 patients in whom a specific preoperative diagnosis was entertained, laparoscopy proved it to be incorrect in 15. In all cases where laparoscopy resulted in specific treatment, the symptoms were relieved. There was no morbidity or mortality.