[The importance of laparoscopy in children]

The authors submit the evaluation of 720 laparoscopic operations performed at the Clinic of Child Surgery and Traumatology in Brno between the end of 1994 and May 1999. The group is formed by children aged 3 weeks to 18 years. The mean age was 8.4 years. The authors recorded once an early and 4 times a late complication. None of the complications were serious and did not threaten the child's health or life. With regard to ever more frequently performed acute laparoscopy the percentage of conversions (2.5%) is higher. The authors emphasize there is practically no age limit for performing this operation (32 infants and toddlers). On the other hand, perfect technical equipment and adequate training of the whole team is necessary.