The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
13021 East Florence Avenue
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Telephone: (800) 554-2245 or (310) 946-8774; Facsimile: (310) 946-9204
(Santa Fe Springs, CA) The Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (JAAGL) will publish a comprehensive survey of its 6,400 members in its early 1997 issue. The survey, which asked the members to remain anonymous and relate their experiences with laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), was unveiled at the International Congress of Gynecologic Endoscopy / AAGL 25th Annual Meeting, in Chicago last September.
The highly anticipated survey asked physicians whether or not they performed a LAVH from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1995. The participants also provided the medical indications for the surgery, what percentage could have been done by vaginal hysterectomy, surgical data (O.R. time, length of hospital stay, etc.), and complications. It also questioned how many LAVHs were converted to laparotomies, how many needed to return to the operating room, and any late diagnostic complications. But, most important, it outlined how many, if any, deaths were encountered, and the percentage of procedures that were completed abdominally or vaginally before and after learning to practice LAVH.
This survey, as well as the three published before it (on operative laparoscopy and operative hysteroscopy), provides a window from which to view the future of endoscopy. As operative endoscopy advances so will the safety of the patients. Thus, this survey is imperative in revealing the successful transgression of the practice, as well as determining the complications encountered.
Earlier surveys uncovered pelvic pain (56% of procedures) for operative laparoscopy, and abnormal bleeding (78%) for operative hysteroscopy, as the key indicators for performing the respective surgeries. The AAGL Research and Survey Committee found a stratifying consistency among three previous reports (1988, 1991, 1993) with member response remaining relatively consistent. Objectivity and credibility have been primary concerns of the committee since the inaugural survey in 1988, and ensures all respondents receive complete anonymity.
This year's survey received more that 1,100 responses and the detailed statistics will be available early next year. "It is the continuation of our effort to document trends in operative endoscopy by AAGL members," said Jordan M. Phillips, MD, Chairman of the Board. Dr. Phillips also mentioned this information is archived in detail so future analogies can be made to previous results.
For further information please contact:
The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
Telephone: (800) 554-2245 or (310) 946-8774
Facsimile: (310) 946-0073
BBS (310) 946-4179 (8N1)
Email: 102254.3033@compuserve.com
World Wide Web: http://pages.prodigy.com/CA/jmp/jmp.html