The diagnostic value of laparoscopy in women with chronic pelvic pain

Laparoscopy was performed in 130 patients with chronic pelvic pain. Laparoscopy confirmed the preoperative diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in 41 of 63 women with preoperative diagnosis of chronic PID (65%), whereas in 8 (13%), no pathologic findings were revealed. Laparoscopy directed the management in all 67 women who underwent the procedure to establish a diagnosis; in 16 (24%) of these, no pathologic findings were revealed. Of the total group, laparoscopy prevented laparotomy in 20 cases. These results are in accord with those of previous studies and emphasize the importance of laparoscopy in the management of women with chronic pelvic pain.