title: Travelling surgeons--a clinical audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures in Northland, New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors: Department of Surgery, Northland DHB, Whangarei, New Zealand.
authors: Shaun M
authors: SM
authors: Ryan
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Milsom
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Gerrie
authors: G
authors: Snyman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome