title: Population perception of surgical approach in minimally invasive surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to better understand the impact that public opinion might have on surgical approaches in urologic minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected surveys from 400 participants, including the general population (n = 220) and paramedical staff (n = 180). Participants were anonymous. The survey included 16 questions on the characteristics and preference for the surgical approach if a urologic MIS were performed on them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The responders preferred the transumbilical approach (57.0%) to the subcostal approach (43.0%). In particular, the preference for a transumbilical approach was significantly higher in females (65.1% vs. 49.3%, p = 0.0014). Similarly, when participants were divided into two groups (<50 years and ≥50 years), the preference for the transumbilical approach was significantly higher in the younger group (60.8% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.0187). Logistic regression analysis revealed that preference for this approach was about 2 times more likely to rise in the females (p = 0.032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preference for the transumbilical approach was significantly higher young female respondents. This patient subset most values the cosmetic benefits of transumbilical approach in urologic MIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kajiwara
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teishima
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsubara