Endoscopic surgery in Senegal. Benefits, costs and limits.
BACKGROUND
Evaluating the introduction of endoscopic surgery in Senegal may be useful for assessing the role of this technology in developing countries.


METHODS
The endoscopic surgery performed at the Hospital Principal and the Hospital Le Dantec, Dakar, from January 1995 to December 2000 was evaluated retrospectively. Operative time, postoperative stay, patients, and hospital costs were compared in samples of 100 patients treated endoscopically and 80 patients treated with open techniques.


RESULTS
Altogether, 826 endoscopic procedures were performed (11.6% of elective surgical activity). Of these, thoracoscopic (34%) and laparoscopic (14%) vagotomy, cholecystectomy (21%), fundoplication (12%), and diagnostic laparoscopy (11%) were selected for comparisons. Operative time proved to be reduced by endoscopic surgery except for laparoscopic fundoplication (+40 min). After endoscopic surgery, postoperative hospitalization was 3.7 days shorter, and patient fees were consequently reduced. In 6 years, 87% of the hospital investment (36,000 Euro) was recovered.


CONCLUSIONS
Developing countries can benefit from endoscopic surgery. First-world countries might supply staff training.
Bendinelli
C
C
Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Ospedale Santa Chiara, Universita' di Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa 56100, Italia. cino_bendinelli@yahoo.com
Leal
T
T
Moncade
F
F
Dieng
M
M
Toure
C T
CT
Miccoli
P
P
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D003949:Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical / Q000191:economics; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012675:Senegal; D013997:Time Factors