Introduction of gynecologic endoscopic surgery in an African setting

The new operative endoscopic techniques have been fully tried in the industrialized world and have spread to all surgical specialities. These new technologies present an obvious advantage for certain gynecologic pathologies which are particularly common in Africa. For pelvic inflammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancies and tubal sterility, laparoscopic 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 unit performing laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic resections was created at the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Yaoundé in Cameroon. This facility is the result of close collaboration between the University of Yaoundé and the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand. This operative endoscopic unit has been functioning since April 1992. The authors discuss the difficulties involved in such projects, such as initial investment, maintenance of equipment and in particular training of the surgical team.