Abstract

PIP: In order to obtain national data on laparoscopy experience, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) conducted a poll of the larger obstetric and gynecologic community, rather than focusing on their membership alone. In the spring of 1976 a questionnaire was mailed to 21,936 physicians from the American Medical Association who indicated that their practice was limited to obstetrics and gynecology. By August 1976 4399 responses were received; the analysis is based upon 4354 respondents that were complete and received by July 1. The average physician performed 27.3 diagnostic procedures a year and 62.2 sterilizations. Major complication rates for diagnostic procedures (4.6 per 1000) were higher than for sterilization procedures (3.7 per 1000). This difference was also noted for death rates (5.2 per 100,000 for diagnostic procedures and 2.5 per 100,000 for sterilization operations). About 1/2 of the AAGL membership responded to the survey whereas only about 25% of the non-AAGL membership responded. Almost all responding AAGL members actually perform laparoscopy as compared to 82% of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) members and 72% of respondents having neither affilation. AAGL members were the most active, performing an average of 37.6 procedures annually as compared to the overall rate of 27.3. The AAGL physicians' complication rate of 4.4 per 1000 was similar to the ACOG members' rate of 4.2 per 1000, but the nonassociated respondents had the highest complication rate (7.5 per 1000).