Surgical practices during cholecystectomy in Algeria: results of a survey

ABSTRACT

Background: The cholecystectomy is one of the most practiced surgeries; the learned societies published guidelines to improve surgical practices. Guidelines are sometimes not followed, either by negligence, by lack of means or adequate professional environment. So, to know the real practices of surgeons, a survey was conducted.Methods: An anonymous national survey involving all practicing Algerian surgeons was conducted. At the end of the survey, all data were captured and processed using the SPSS v20 software; χ2 tests were used to compare different groups of surgeons.Results: Only 122 responses were retained, twenty-two percent of surgeons perform open cholecystectomy. No surgeon performed routinely cholangiography, 43% extracted the gallbladder using extraction disposal, 18% performed systematic abdominal cavity drainage, all surgeons send the gallbladder to histology for examination and postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis was routinely prescribed by 69% of surgeons. The average postoperative hospitalisation recommended by surgeons was 1.65 days (0-5) days. The experience of the surgeon or his position was associated with lower rates of systematic prescription of antibiotic prophylaxis, and with a lower duration of postoperative hospitalisation.Conclusions: We recommend publication of guidelines of good practices adapted to the socio-professional and economic context of countries.