[Statistical survey on laparoscopy in gynaecology up to 1977 in the Federal Republic of Germany (author's transl)].

1385 questionaires were sent to gynaecologists in West Germany. 682 (49.2%) were answered anonymously. 302 answers (44.2%) revealed that the gynaecologists did not do endoscopy. 265.900 pelviscopies or laparoscopies were included in the statistics. The laparoscopies or pelviscopies were done from 1949--1977 by 380 gynaecologic surgeons or gynaecological departments. In Germany to the end of 1977 unipolar high frequency current was used for hemostasis in 52%, bipolar high frequency current in 42%, and modern endocoaglation in 25% of the departments. In 240 departments (63%) the five to 8 mm. pelviscope was used. In 124 department (33%) the 11 mm. laparoscope was used. In the total of the cases 949 (3.56/1000) complications occurred. These required 690 laparotomies (2.59/1000). The cause of the complications were injuries to vessels or high frequency current burns. A total of 24 (0.09/1000) deaths or 1 death per 11,000 pelviscopies was reported. The operative mortality was 13 deaths (0.09/1000) in 140,977 (53%) purely diagnostic pelviscopies or laparoscopies, 3 deaths (0.08/1000) in 37,639 (14.2%) combined diagnostic and operative pelviscopies and 8 deaths (0.09/1000) in 87,284 (32.8%) laparoscopic tubal ligations. Since 1974 the operative mortality is less than 1:100,000. Since 1973 approximately 30--35,000 pelviscopies are done yearly in West Germany.