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Laparoscopy in Rwanda: A National Assessment of Utilization, Demands, and Perceived Challenges

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Abstract

Background

Laparoscopy has proven to be feasible and effective at reducing surgical morbidity and mortality in low resource settings. In Rwanda, the demand for and perceived challenges to laparoscopy use remain unclear.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was performed at the four Rwandan national referral teaching hospitals. Retrospective logbook reviews (July 2014–June 2015) assessed procedure volume and staff involvement. Web-based surveys and semi-structured interviews investigated barriers to laparoscopy expansion.

Results

During the study period, 209 laparoscopic procedures were completed: 57 (27.3%) general surgery cases; 152 (72.7%) ob/gyn cases. The majority (58.9%, 125/209) occurred at the private hospital, which performed 82.6% of cholecystectomies laparoscopically (38/46). The three public hospitals, respectively, performed 25% (7/28), 15% (12/80), and 0% (denominator indeterminate) of cholecystectomies laparoscopically. Notably, the two hospitals with the highest laparoscopy volume relied on a single surgeon for more than 85% of cases. The four ob/gyn departments performed between 4 and 87 laparoscopic cases (mostly diagnostic). Survey respondents at all sites listed a dearth of trainers as the most significant barrier to performing laparoscopy (65.7%; 23/35). Other obstacles included limited access to training equipment and courses. Equipment and material costs, equipment functionality, and material supply were perceived as lesser barriers. Twenty-two interviews revealed widespread interest in laparoscopy, insufficient laparoscopy exposure, and a need for trainers.

Conclusion

While many studies identify cost as the most prohibitive barrier to laparoscopy utilization in low resource settings, logbook review and workforce perception indicate that a paucity of trainers is currently the greatest obstacle in Rwanda.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Scholars in Medicine Office at Harvard Medical School for their financial support of medical student Faith Robertson on this project.

Funding

Faith Robertson received medical student funding from the Harvard Medical School, Scholars in Medicine Office. This was in the form of financial reimbursement for a round trip flight to Rwanda.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Faith Robertson and Zeta Mutabazi have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Faith Robertson & Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri

  2. College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda

    Zeta Mutabazi, Sanctus Musafiri & Tim Walker

  3. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University Western Campus, Kampala, Uganda

    Patrick Kyamanywa

  4. Ejo Heza Surgical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda

    Georges Ntakiyiruta

  5. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

    Constance Mukabatsinda

  6. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Butare, Butare, Rwanda

    Sanctus Musafiri

  7. School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia

    Tim Walker

  8. King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda

    Emmanuel Kayibanda

  9. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    John Scott

  10. Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda

    Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri

  11. Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri

Authors
  1. Faith Robertson
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  2. Zeta Mutabazi
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  3. Patrick Kyamanywa
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  10. Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Faith Robertson.

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Conflicts of interest

Faith Robertson BS, Zeta Mutabazi MD, Patrick Kyamanywa MD, Georges Ntakiyiruta MD, Sanctus Musafiri, MD, PhD, Tim Walker MD, Emmanuel Kayibanda MD, Constance Mukabatsinda MD John Scott MD, MPH, and Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri MD, MPH have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Robertson, F., Mutabazi, Z., Kyamanywa, P. et al. Laparoscopy in Rwanda: A National Assessment of Utilization, Demands, and Perceived Challenges. World J Surg 43, 339–345 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-018-4797-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-018-4797-1

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