A Single-Center Experience: The Diagnostic Role of Peritoneoscopy in Patients with Exudative Ascites

Background and Aim: The causes of exudative and transudative ascites can be detected through noninvasive methods nowadays. In selected cases, peritoneoscopy could be necessary for definitive diagnosis. In this retrospective study, we aimed to present the peritoneal biopsy results of patients who had exudative ascites with unclear etiology. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 86 patients who had exudative ascites of unclear etiology. All the patients showed abnormalities of the peritoneum or greater omentum as determined by abdominal ultrasonography and underwent peritoneoscopy between January 2012 and December 2015. Patient data were obtained from hospital records. Results: Eighty-six patients (male: 22; 25.6%, mean agestandard deviation: 57.97 +/- 15.97) who had exudative ascites of unclear etiology were included to the study. The success rate of the procedures was 100% (86/86). A specific histopathological diagnosis was made in all patients, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 100%. Among the 86 diagnosed patients, 43 (50%) were peritonitis carcinomatosa, 21 (24.4%) were tuberculous peritonitis, 14 (16.3%) were mesothelioma, 4 (4.7%) were chronical inflammation, and 1 (1.2%) was lymphoma. Three (3.5%) patients had normal peritoneal biopsy findings. Discussion: Peritoneoscopy is a safe and efficient alternative method due to its high diagnostic capacity in selected patients who have exudative ascites of unclear etiology.