LAPAROSCOPIC STAGING OF HODGKINS-DISEASE

The role of operative staging of patients with Hodgkin's disease conti nues to evolve. First described in 1969, the indications for this proc edure continue to be redefined. Recent advances in surgical instrument ation have allowed procedures such as cholecystectomy, colon resection , nephrectomy, and splenectomy to be performed laparoscopically. We re port a case of a complete staging procedure for Hodgkin's disease incl uding splenectomy, performed laparoscopically. The patient had an unev entful recovery and returned to work 11 days postoperatively. While pe rforming this operation laparoscopically does not alter the indication s for the procedure, laparoscopic staging of Hodgkin's disease may res ult in shorter hospitalization and recovery time while providing compl ete pathologic staging of subdiaphragmatic disease.