HP01Ï¿½A Survey of Surgeons Attitude to Laparoscopic Liver Resections (original) (raw)
2009, ANZ Journal of Surgery
Introduction: Is laparoscopic liver surgery widely performed? What are the attitudes of Australasian surgeons towards laparoscopic liver surgery? Methods: An On-line survey of 143 liver surgeons (all members of ANZHPBA) throughout Australia and New Zealand was performed in mid 2008. Results: 61 responses were analysed. Two were trainees, 21 fellows and 38 practicing surgeons. 50 respondents (80%) performed more than 10 open liver resections annually. 57 (90%) performed advanced laparoscopic surgery requiring suturing. 48 respondents performed laparoscopic liver resection. 30 have attempted major hepatectomy but only three of these have performed more than five. 37 surgeons have performed left lateral sectionectomy and 15 of them have performed more than 10. All but three surgeons felt that malignancy was not a contraindication to laparoscopic liver resection. The following reasons were given as deterrence stopping surgeons from more frequent laparoscopic liver resections: fear of bleeding (44%), skills not adequate (39%), time constraints (33%), availability of equipment (15%), cost of equipment (13%) and fear of gas embolism (10%). 22 (36%) have attended a laparoscopic liver resection course and 13 (55%) of them found that it influenced their attitude towards laparoscopic liver surgery. Conclusions: Many surgeons are performing laparoscopic liver surgery for malignant conditions of the liver, but major hepatectomy is rarely performed. Fear of bleeding, time and skill constraints remain major deterrents.
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