Korean J Urol.
2004 Jul;45(7):714-719.
Endourologic Procedures and Laparoscopic Surgery in Urology Training Hospitals: The Report of Nationwide Survey
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea. hhkim@snu.ac.kr
- 2Department of Urology, Chung-Ang University, Korea.
- 3Department of Urology, Ewha Womans University, Korea.
- 4Department of Urology, Konkuk University, Korea.
- 5Department of Urology, Gachon Medical School, Korea
- 6Department of Urology, Sungkyunkwan University, Korea.
- 7Department of Urology, Pusan National University, Korea.
- 8Department of Urology, Hanyang University, Korea.
- 9Department of Urology, Wonkwang University, Korea.
- 10Department of Urology, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea and The Korean Society of Endourology, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: To assess the current status of endourology and laparoscopy in Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using the database directory of the Korean Urological Association, 83 urology training hospitals were identified. A detailed questionnaire was designed and sent by post and e-mail. The questionnaire included questions regarding the number of various endourological and laparoscopic procedures between 1998 and 2002. The questionnaires of those responding were analyzed.
RESULTS
Responses were received from 45 hospitals (response rate 54.2%). 133 antegrade and 626 retrograde endourological procedures for urinary strictures were performed during the period of the study in 12 and 35 hospitals, respectively. 42 hospitals (93.3%) were performing shock wave lithotripsy for urinary stone disease. 29 hospitals (64.4%) reported having performed more than one laparoscopic procedure during the five years. The annual total numbers of laparoscopic procedures increased from 217 in 1998 to 725 in 2002. Simple laparoscopic nephrectomy was the most widely accepted procedure, and was being performed in 18 hospitals. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, radical nephrectomy, diagnostic laparoscopy, laparoscopic renal cyst marsupialization, nephroureterectomy and donor nephrectomy were performed in more than 10 hospitals. However, the actual number of laparoscopic procedures was limited in most hospitals. More than 40 laparoscopic procedures per year were performed by only four hospitals.
CONCLUSIONS
This survey revealed an increasing number of endourological and laparoscopic procedures. However, laparoscopy seems to be mainly a larger hospital-based technology in Korea. These results can be utilized as fundamental data for establishing future developmental requirements of endourology and laparoscopy in Korea.
