Increased rate of cholecystectomy after introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Saudi Arabia

A rapid increase in the rate of cholecystectomy was reported in eastern Sau di Arabia between 1977 and 1986. The aim of this study uas to determine whe ther the rate of cholecystectomy in the same region a as still rising after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. From 1987 to 1995 a tota l of 24 hospitals in eastern Saudi Arabia were sun-eyed using a questionnai re. During the 9-year study period, the rate of total cholecystectomy (open and laparoscopic) increased by 91%. Whereas the cholecystectomy rate decre ased by 4% per annum from 1987 to 1990, it increased by 63.7% from 1991 to 1995 after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The increase i n the rates of cholecystectomy was observed in all age groups and both sexe s, Cholecystectomy was, however, most frequent among the age group 45-64yea rs followed by the age group 25-44 years. Young and female patients were mo re likely to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy than the open procedure. The rise in cholecystectomy rate deserves further evaluation,vith regard to the following: reasons for the increased rate of cholecystectomy, cholecys tectomy-related morbidity and mortality, and the total costs of cholecystec tomy.