[Laparoscopy in gynecology and obstetrics].

Thanks to the statistics of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schweizerischer Frauenkliniken (Swiss Gynecological Clinics' Working Group) it has for the first time become possible to report on larger numbers of laparoscopies performed in Switzerland. In contrast to most international statistical records, data relating to this subject are gathered prospectively; there is no doubt that this improves the quality of the data. The authors report on a total of 18,186 laparoscopies performed in 1983/84/85, in 50% of the cases for sterilization. The various sterilization methods employed are discussed. As far as diagnostic laparoscopies are concerned, the indications and techniques are described. Serious intraoperative complications occurred in 15 cases, which corresponds to one serious complication in every 1,212 laparoscopies. Fortunately, not a single patient died as a direct result of the laparoscopy. The results are compared with those in the international literature. With regard to late-onset morbidity it is evident that there are more complications with the more complex procedure of diagnostic laparoscopy.