Update on Laparoscopic Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is a pioneering technique that has metamorphosed the field of surgery in the past and is now considered the recommended surgical approach for many procedures. 1 The last published data showed an average of eight cases per month. 5 The purpose of this study was to assess an increase or decrease in the number of Laparoscopic surgeries at GPHC and if there were more advanced cases as compared to the last published data.

Methods: Data of the laparoscopic surgeries done at GPHC for the year 2018 was obtained from the records in the Main Operating theatre. Data collected will focus on the number and type of Laparoscopic surgeries.

Results: An audit of GPHC operating register shows a total of 180 cases for 2018 representing an average of 15 cases per month. There was a significant difference in the first six months of 2018 (5 cases per month) versus the last six months of 2018 (25 cases per month). A total of 19 cases were converted. Most of the advanced cases were done in latter half of 2018 and included 27 diagnostic laparoscopy, 9 inguinal hernias, 2 AP resections, 2 Graham’s patch, 2 ventral hernias, 2 rectopexy and 1 Heller’s myotomy.

Conclusion: The number of laparoscopic surgeries at GPHC has increased significantly especially in the latter half of 2018. This number has risen to three times the number in the last published data. While the majority of cases continued to be cholecystectomy and appendectomies, a greater variety of advanced cases were done in 2018 as compared to the last published data.