[Laparoscopic operations in urologic clinics--results of a survey]

This paper summarizes the results of a questionnaire initiated in August 1995 by the Arbeitskreis "Minimal invasive Urologie" of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie. We received 235 answers from a total of 380 departments, which were queried by fax. Laparoscopic surgery is currently performed in 36% of all answering departments and in 75% of all university divisions. However, only 5% of the departments do more than 30 procedures per year. The most frequent indications are cryptorchisdim in 24%, pelvic lymph node dissection in 20%, lymphoceles in 16%, renal cyst resection in 15%, varicocelectomy in 14%, and laparoscopic nephrectomy in 11% (30% of all laparoscopically active units). Since laparoscopy in urology does not have an indication for a high number of patients (and departments), knowledge about how to use this minimally invasive technique will be further concentrated in already existing centers, as this guarantees sufficient frequency of its use and expertise.