Successfully establishing laparoscopic surgery programs in developing countries. Clinical results and lessons learned.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has not been widely established in developing countries due to the lack of access to training and lack of money. We describe our experience using on-site training programs to efficiently teach and propagate laparoscopic surgery in Leon, Nicaragua; La Paz, Bolivia; and Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Methods: A group of well-trained and motivated local surgeons was identified in each country as the initial target for teaching. Participants were taught basic and advanced laparoscopic surgery during on-site didactics, animal laboratories, and proctoring sessions. Follow-up courses were held until the target group of surgeons was capable of independently teaching and supervising laparoscopic surgery among other surgeons in each country.

Results: Multiple technical and logistic difficulties were encountered. In Leon, Nicaragua, and La Paz, Bolivia, a total of eight surgeons were fully trained and proctored in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a total of seven surgeons were instructed in advanced laparoscopic procedures. To date, over 180 patients have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy or advanced procedures with a morbidity similar to that reported in literature series in the United States.

Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates that in spite of numerous limitations, basic and laparoscopic surgery can be efficiently and safely taught in developing countries. Many lessons were learned in how to safely and efficiently use laparoscopic equipment and instruments within strict financial constraints.