[Laparoscopic surgery in Norway. Operational statistics from surgical departments after 1990]

In October 1992 all Norwegian hospitals were asked whether or not they currently performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 36 hospitals performed laparoscopic surgery, 15 did not and 20 hospitals did not reply. During 1990 six hospitals began to use the laparoscopic technique. The number had increased to 21 hospitals in 1991. Altogether 497 cholecystectomies were performed laparoscopically i 1991, comprising 36% of all cholecystectomies in the 51 responding hospitals. In October 1992 the number of hospitals performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy had increased to 36, and the mini-invasive technique was used in 920 cases, i.e. in 68% of the total number of cholecystectomies. Only approximately 7.5% of all appendectomies were performed laparoscopically in 1992 as well as in 1991. Until 1992, cholecystectomy was the only operation where the mini-invasive technique is widely used in Norway.