Schmidt AI, Engelmann C, Till H, Kellnar S, Ure BM. Minimally-invasive pediatric surgery in 2004: a survey including 50 German institutions.
J Pediatr Surg 2007;
42:1491-4. [PMID:
17848236 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2007.04.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A survey on the practice of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery in pediatric surgical departments in Germany is presented.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all 71 pediatric surgical departments in Germany (population 82 million). Fifty institutions (70%) took part in the survey that mainly included data for the year 2004: spectrum of minimally invasive operations, quantity of procedures, conversions, major complications, number of performing surgeons and residents.
RESULTS
Laparoscopic techniques were used in 48 departments (96%) and thoracoscopic techniques in 37 (74%). The annual frequency of laparoscopies was less than 100 in 30 departments (62%) and more than 100 in 15 (31%). The number of thoracoscopies was less than 50 in 35 departments (73%) and more than 50 in 2 (4%). Appendectomy was offered in 45 (90%), varicocelectomy in 32 (64%), and Fowler-Stephens operation in 33 (66%). Twenty-one departments (42%) covered more advanced procedures such as laparoscopically assisted pull-through for Hirschsprung disease. Most demanding procedures such as laparoscopic choledochal cyst resection, duodeno-duodenostomy, heminephrectomy, or pyeloplasty were offered by 10 departments (20%). Minimally invasive surgery was performed by 1 surgeon (12%) in 6 institutions and by more than 5 surgeons (14%) in 7 institutions.
CONCLUSION
Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly accepted in most German pediatric surgical institutions for a wide range of indications. However, the number of departments offering major minimally invasive procedures remains limited.
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