Variation in use of minimally invasive gallbladder surgery

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A survey shows that laparoscopic surgery is more likely to be offered to younger women.
The minimally invasive, or laparoscopic, approach to gall bladder removal is now well established. However, a group of doctors at Hong Kong University now reveals that the use of this practice varies. They looked at a group of 2,353 patients operated on for gall bladder removal between 1998 and 2002.

The use of minimally invasive surgery has increased by 30 per cent over this time. They find that younger women tend to be more likely to be offered the laparoscopic approach. The doctors say that some surgeons may find laparoscopy too technically demanding. Moreover, the conventional open approach is still preferred for acute gall bladder problems. For elective surgery, laparoscopy is thought better - but should only be performed by an experienced surgeon.

Source
Archives of Surgery November 2005 Volume 140 pages 1084-1088

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