29th December 2009
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
Link,


DISEASE/CONDITION(S)
Liver disease
Discrete masses (metastatic cancer, hepatoma, benign masses)
Diffuse diseases (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-related liver function abnormalities, hepatomegaly with or without splenomegaly, unexplained portal hypertension, cirrhosis)
Disease processes possibly related to the liver (ascites, abnormal liver function tests, fever of unknown origin)

GUIDELINE CATEGORY
Diagnosis
Evaluation

CLINICAL SPECIALTY
Gastroenterology
Surgery

INTENDED USERS
Physicians

GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S)
To assist surgeons' decisions about the appropriate use of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with liver disease
To update the previous 2002 guidelines on this topic