The development of laparoscopic surgery in Spain.

AIM: To assess degree of development and level of acceptance of laparoscopic surgery in Spain.

METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons in April 2003. It included 32 questions, 9 of which were general, and 23 referred to specific clinical situations, techniques, and standard practice.

RESULTS

Eight hundred and fifty-eight (33.1%) surgeons replied. Only 211 (25%) surgeons reported performing advanced laparoscopic procedures. Four hundred and twenty (49%) surgeons believed that the results obtained with laparoscopic surgery were better than those obtained with conventional surgery, and 325 (40%) surgeons believed that laparoscopy would become a superspecialty. Laparoscopic surgery was considered the method of choice in the treatment of gallbladder stones (99%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (94%), acute cholecystitis (81%), in selected cases of inguinal hernia repair, and in procedures to be performed in spleen and adrenals, benign colon disease, and obesity. Three hundred and ninety-eight (47%) surgeons considered laparoscopic surgery the preferred approach for colon cancer, 292 (34%) for appendicitis, and 155 (18%) for incisional hernia. Five hundred and five (59%) surgeons considered that the use of laparoscopic surgery had grown less than expected.

CONCLUSIONS

The vast majority of surgeons advocated laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of gallbladder stones and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although most hospitals had the appropriate technical facilities for performing advanced laparoscopic procedures, few surgeons actually did so.