Laparoscopic general surgeries in a developing Country: A 5-year private hospital experience in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

Laparoscopic surgical services are well established in most hospitals in developed countries but not in developing countries like Nigeria. Moreover, the scope of healthcare financing like the health insurance scheme in Nigeria has not expanded to accommodate laparoscopy. Basic surgeries like appendicectomy, cholecystectomy and advanced surgery like hemicolectomy form common surgical procedures now performed via laparoscopy in Nigeria. Objective: To share our experiences with laparoscopic general surgical operations performed in a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: Retrospective study of 119 patients who had laparoscopic general surgeries over 5 years period at a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria, from January 2017 to December 2021. The variables analysed were patients’ demographic data, diagnosis, type and duration of operations and outcome. Results: One hundred and nineteen patients had laparoscopic surgery over the period. Of these, majority were females 71 [59.7%] and males 48 [40.3%] giving M:F of 1:1.5. The age range of patients was 12 to 81 years and the mean age was 43.4 years ± 14.0. A higher proportion of the patients [58%, n=69], were aged 40 years and above. The commonest procedures done were laparoscopic cholecystectomies [49.6%, n=59], followed by appendicectomies [21.0%, n=25]. Seven [5.9%] patients had laparoscopic adhesiolysis and drainage of liver cysts each, laparoscopic fundoplication 5 [4.2%] and left hemicolectomy 3 [2.5%]. The commonest postoperative complication was surgical port site infection 4 [3.4%]. Conclusion: The scope of laparoscopic general surgeries provided in a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria is broad and safe. The outcomes are comparable to those from other centres in the region.