Significant Increase in Use of Acute Laparoscopic Surgery for General Surgical Conditions

Over a 10-year period, researchers assessed the utilization of acute laparoscopic surgery for common general surgical conditions in New Zealand. The study found that laparoscopic appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, adhesiolysis, and inguinal hernia repair significantly increased, with the highest rise observed in appendicectomy and adhesiolysis. Laparoscopic surgery cohorts had shorter hospital stays and lower costs compared to open surgery. Maori and Pacific Island patients had similar or higher rates of laparoscopic use compared to the rest of the population. The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect laparoscopic surgery rates significantly.