Travelling surgeons--a clinical audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures in Northland, New Zealand.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery performed in a peripheral hospital by travelling surgeons.

METHODS

A retrospective audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations performed in Kaitaia hospital was completed and compared with international literature. Data was collected for procedures completed between March 2005 and August 2006. Information on patient demographics, admission, diagnosis, and length of stay were gathered, as well as information regarding complications of stump leak, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy, infection, postoperative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatogram (ERCP) requirement and death.

RESULTS

149 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in Kaitaia. Conversion to open was 5.4%. When all complications were compared no statistically significant difference could be found between complication rates in Kaitaia and those in international literature in almost all categories studied. Common Bile Duct (CBD) injury in Kaitaia was found to be lower than that reported in international literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are performed safely in Kaitaia hospital by travelling surgeons. Surgery performed in Kaitaia showed low complication rates, even by international standards. This is not surprising given the high number of elective operations.