BACKGROUND: Carefully selected patients with noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine (NCNN) liver metastases may benefit from hepatic resection. The incidence of occult unresectable disease and the possible benefits of staging laparoscopy in these patients are not known. METHODS: From December 1997 to July 2000, staging laparoscopy was performed in 30 consecutive patients with NCNN metastases before planned open exploration and resection. Demographics, extent of preoperative imaging, operative and postoperative findings, and factors associated with laparoscopic identification of unresectable disease were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (80%) had a complete laparoscopic examination, and 23 had laparoscopic ultrasonography. All patients underwent preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and 21 (70%) patients had 2 or more preoperative radiological studies. Overall, nine patients had unresectable disease, six of whom were identified by laparoscopy. Of the remaining 24 patients believed to have resectable disease at laparoscopy, 21 went on to a potentially curative procedure. Laparoscopy did not identify irresectability because of vascular involvement in three patients. Laparoscopy added a median of 30 minutes of operative time to those patients going on to laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy identified the majority of patients with occult unresectable disease, improved resectability, and should be routine in patients being considered for potentially curative hepatic resection.
