Use of Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Peritoneal Washings for Pancreatic Cancer.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy that often presents with advanced disease. Accurate staging is essential for treatment planning and shared decision-making with patients. Staging laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can detect radiographically occult metastatic disease. Its routine use with the collection of peritoneal washings in patients with pancreatic cancer remains controversial. We, herein, review the current literature concerning staging laparoscopy and peritoneal washings in patients with pancreatic cancer.