[Laparoscopic surgery in Norway].
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic procedures in gastrointestinal surgery have increasingly been used over the last ten years. This study explores the use of various common laparoscopic procedures in Norway.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all 59 public hospitals in Norway in January 1999, of which all but one responded. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 54 out of 58 hospitals.


RESULTS
Most hospitals perform between 11 and 20% of all gastrointestinal operations with laparoscopic technique. Laparoscopic cholecystectomies and anti-reflux surgery have generally replaced open procedures in all hospitals. Appendectomy by the laparoscopic technique accounts for approximately 10% of cases and has become the preferred technique in only one of ten hospitals. Laparoscopic hernia repairs are done in less than 10% of cases. Overall, surgeons' satisfaction with laparoscopy is good and seems slightly higher in district and central hospitals than in university hospitals. Half of all surgical departments plan to use more laparoscopic procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic procedures have replaced conventional open surgical procedures for some procedures but is less used than expected ten years ago. A slow and gradual increase may be expected in the years ahead.
Mjåland
Odd
O
Gastrokirurgisk avdeling Sykehuset i Vestfold, Tønsberg 3116 Tønsberg. odd.mjaland@c2i.net
Johnson
Egil
E
Myrvold
Helge E
HE
D001062:Appendectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires