Laparoscopic Surgery in a Governmental Teaching Hospital: An Initial Experience from Ayder Referral Hospital in Northern Ethiopia

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has long been practiced in western countries, but the practice is relatively new in Ethiopia. Documented practices of laparoscopic surgery in public hospitals are, to the best of our knowledge, nonexistent in Ethiopia. The objective of our study is to give an account on the practice of laparoscopic surgery in a resource limited setting in Ethiopia.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done. Records of 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery from January 2013 to February 2014 were included in the study. Parameters like the type and duration of surgery, the operating and assisting surgeon, postoperative hospital stay and early postoperative complications were evaluated. A pretested designed questionnaire was used to obtain data.
Results: Of the 100 procedures 73 were cholecystectomy, 12 were appendectomies, five were diagnostic laparoscopies, and four were hernia repairs. There were also two drainages, two orchidectomies, one perforated PUD repair and one salphigoopherectomy. Male: Female ratio was 1:1.6. There was no conversion, but 20% of them were difficult. There were two trocar site infections. Ninety two percent of the surgeries were done by local surgeons.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Laparoscopic surgery is feasible in resource-limited areas like Ethiopia. We suggest that it should be expanded to the other hospitals with short- term surgeon trainings.