[Determining the status of laparoscopic surgery in East Brandenburg. Results of a survey].

In October 1998 the surgical hospitals of Eastern Brandenburg have been questioned about the level of laparoscopic surgery. The datas of 14 hospitals were summarized. 14% of 20.574 general surgical operations done in 1998 were performed laparoscopically. Three procedures--laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernioplasty and appendectomy--comprised 98% of the laparoscopic operations. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the standard procedure for treatment of symptomatic gallstones in all hospitals. 83% of the cholecystectomies were performed by minimal invasive technique. The laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was done in 10 of 14 hospitals. 30% of the inguinal hernias were operated by the laparoscopic method. The TAPP was the favorite operating procedure. For treatment of recurrent hernias the "tension free technique" was used in 12 of 14 hospitals. The implantation of a net is done equally by Lichtenstein's-repair and laparoscopically. Laparoscopic appendectomy has not been accepted as routine operating method. 83% of appendectomies were performed conventionally.