Current state and trends in minimal access surgery in Europe

The outcome of the two questionnaires designed to determine the current state and trends in minimal access surgery (MAS) conducted amongst members of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) from April to June 1992 and subsequently the same period in 1993 are presented and compared. For the first questionnaire the data were received from 266 surgical departments in Europe and 360 departments in 1993 responded to the second survey. In both instances the same forms were used. The questionnaire was focused on basic aspects of MAS, the motives, the procedures performed, attitudes to training and different aspects of equipment used. This communication presents a comparison of the outcome of the survey as available from 182 departments participating and responding to both the first and second questionnaires. The outcome of both surveys confirms that laparoscopic cholecystectomy became a better alternative to open surgery and is the cornerstone of abdominal MAS. Antireflux procedures, thoracoscopic operations and staging laparoscopy form a solid base for future development and the spread of MAS.