INTRODUCTION OF GYNECOLOGIC ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY IN AN AFRICAN SETTING

The new operative endoscopic techniques have been fully tried in the i ndustrialized world and have spread to all surgical specialities. Thes e new technologies present an obvious advantage for certain gynecologi c pathologies which are particularly common in Africa. For pelvic infl ammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancies and tubal sterility, laparoscop ic surgery enables an initial assessment of disease, a less traumatic treatment and therefore a better long-term prognosis for fertility and reduced postoperative morbidity. Recently, an operative endoscopic un it performing laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic resections was creat ed at the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Yaounde in Cameroon. This facility is the result of close collaboration between the University o f Yaounde and the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand. This operat ive endoscopic unit has been functioning since April 1992. The authors discuss the difficulties involved in such projects, such as initial i nvestment, maintenance of equipment and in particular training of the surgical team.