[Ten years of laparoscopy and laparoscopic surgery at the Jeanne Ebori foundation in Libreville (Gabon)]

The authors report their experience with 614 laparoscopies performed from 1 January 1996 through 31 December 2005 at the Jeanne EBORI Foundation. The purpose of this study is to show the benefits of laparoscopy for day-to-day gynaecological treatment in developing countries.

We reviewed all laparoscopies performed during this period.

The women's average age was 26.2 years (range: 16-48 years); 68.6% of the procedures were laparoscopic surgery. The main indication for diagnostic laparoscopy was pelvic pain. We performed laparoscopy surgery for ectopic pregnancies and cystectomies (38.9%). The mean operating time was 35 to 50 minutes for diagnostic and 60 to 150 minutes for surgical laparoscopy. Bleeding was the leading complication (1.4%) followed by ruptured cysts (0.7%) and visceral wounds (1.3%).

In view of the public health benefits of this technology, the authors recommend it be acquired in developing countries to improve the therapeutic approach available to their doctors and patients.