EXPERIENCE OF LAPAROSCOPIC GYNEACOLOGICAL SURGERY AT SAINT PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE FROM JANUARY 1, 2016 to DECEMBER 31, 2018

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery that is considered minimally invasive is now rapidly replacing laparotomy in the field of gynecologic surgery. As opposed to laparotomy, laparoscopy has the benefit of reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, better cosmetics, lower cost, reduced morbidity/mortality and overall improved surgical outcomes. Generally, there are limited data concerning the utility of laparoscopy in gynecologic surgery. Specifically, in third-world countries, data are further limited & in Ethiopia there is no data about laparoscopic gynecological surgery so far is available. OBJECTIVES: To assess the experience of Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018, AA, Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital based retrospective patient record review was conducted to assess laparoscopic gynecological surgery at St. Paul’s hospital for various gynecologic conditions. Data collection was carried out by trained data collectors. Data was checked for completeness daily, coded, and entered into Epi-info Version 7.2.2.6 and exported to SPSS Version 24 for analysis after data cleaning was done. Ethical clearance was obtained and confidentiality was assured. RESULTS: In this study, diagnostic laparoscopy was done for more than half of patients (58%) and the major indication for laparoscopy in this study was primary infertility (42.7%). The most dominant laparoscopic procedure type performed was chromopertubation (30.9%). Adhesion was nearly one third of all intra-operative findings in this study. Eleven (7.3%) patients had conversion mainly due to extensive adhesion (63.6%). The operation time ranges from 20 – 220 minutes and its median was 60 minutes + 40 IQR. Only 8(5.3%) patients had complications and majority 6(75%) were minor complications. . Fourfifth (81.3%) of patients stayed for one day in the hospital. CONCLUSION: Overall there was better institutional experience of gynecologic laparoscopic surgery as there was no mortality related to it. So, it should be expanded to other hospitals in the city as well as other hospitals nationwide as the practice was feasible with short-term surgeon trainings. Key words: Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery, St. Paul hospital