Laparoscopic surgery in gynaecology - Salmaniya experience

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the results of our early experience with laparoscopic gynaecological surgery and to assess its benefits. Retrospective review of all women who had laparoscopic surgery by the first author over a four year period between May1996 and July 2000 in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 78 laparoscopic surgeries were performed and in 11 patients the procedure had to be abandoned and conventional laparotomy performed. Sixty seven [86%] patients were successfully managed by the laparoscopic technique. Forty one were operated upon for ovarian tumours, fourteen had laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy [LAVH] and twelve had a variety of other conditions. Only one woman developed complication which was successfully managed. The present study has shown that laparoscopic surgery offers distinct advantages in dealing with many common gynaecological problems which require surgical intervention. Short hospital stay, reduced morbidity, quick mobilization and comfortable postoperative period are main advantages of the laparoscopic technique. Audit of our results has further revealed that proper training of the nursing staff as well as the junior doctors for this type of surgical procedure can help to reduce the operating time