SELECTION OF CASES FOR PERITONEOSCOPY

Peritoneoscopy has received more attention during the past year than ever before. Its safety has been well established, and several statistical analyses have been published, the most extensive being Ruddock's,1of 900 cases. Although this information is readily available, peritoneoscopy has not gained widespread recognition as rapidly as its proponents would wish except in a few centers, where it is used frequently with great success. I believe that this is due to the existence of several misconceptions, which in turn arise from the lack of knowledge of the procedure, its indications and its contraindications. The beliefs that the peritoneoscope may be used to visualize anything within the abdomen regardless of its location and that it may be employed to diagnose acute inflammatory conditions are being dispelled to a large extent by the dissemination of information. The most prevalent misconception is that an abdomen must be distended with ascites before