title: The incidence of open appendicectomy, herniorrhaphy and cholecystectomy in four hospitals of the underdeveloped world and a discussion on the possible role of minimal access surgery.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of three open operations in four East and Central African hospitals. Data were collected by the author over a period of 20 years. The results show that appendicectomy and cholecystectomy are uncommon operations in the four hospitals, with an incidence of less than 1% and less than 0.35% respectively, with little change over the years. In the light of these findings, the uncertain role of minimal access surgery is discussed, and the literature reviewed.
authors.affiliation: University Teaching Hospital, Department of Surgery, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Yerzingatsian
mesh_terms: D001062:Appendectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005002:Ethiopia; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015024:Zambia