The Utility of Lighted Ureteral Stents in Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Survey of Canadian Surgeons
Abstract
Methods: A seven-question survey was administered to Canadian surgeons through the monthly Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) e-news over a period of three months. The questions focused on surgeon demographics, experience with laparoscopic colon resections and the use of stents.
Results: Seventy-five surgeons completed the survey. There was a wide range of experience among the surgeons in terms of years in practice. The majority (84%) reported performing laparoscopic colorectal resections and of those 65% reported performing less than 25 resections a year. Only 26% of surgeons used LUS during laparoscopic resections. Furthermore, 75% of LUS users did not have sub-specialty training, 69% performed less than 25 resections per year and 50% were in practice for less than five years. When used, LUS were inserted for diverticular disease (100%), left colon resection (88%) and low anterior resections (75%).
Conclusion: The majority of surgeons across Canada do not use LUS for laparoscopic colorectal resections. Of those performing laparoscopic colorectal resections, there may be a preference to use LUS for complex cases and by novice operators. This data suggests that proponents of LUS deem that it may have a role in diverticular disease.
Gastroenterol Res. 2011;4(4):143-148
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr344w