Newsletter No. 22

Information in this section can only  be accessed with CWEM password . No.22 September 1991 CUHK Newsletter Pract ical Course in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Over 50 local and overseas surgeons attended a practical course in laparoscopic cholecystectomy organized by the University's Department of Surgery at the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) from 3rd to 6th September. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a new technique for the removal of the gall bladder. In the operation, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope with a television camera through the umbilicus of the patient to obtain a view inside the abdomen. Surgical instruments are then inserted through small puncture holes in the abdomen to dissect out the gall bladder, which in turn is removed through the umbilicus. No abdominal incision is required and patients can recover from the operation much faster. The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Hong Kong was performed by a team of doctors of the Department of Surgery in June last year. Since then more than 100 patients have been successfully treated by this method at the Prince of Wales Hospital. To promote this new technique, a practical course was organized to teach experienced general surgeons interested in the laparoscopic programme how to handle the complex instruments and master the necessary manual skills. Course contents included a symposium, live close-circuit TV transmission of operation procedures, practical training on simulators, and surgical practice on anaesthetized pigs. The Department of Surgery will continue to study the application of the new technique to patients with cancerous tumours. Personalia 3