Laparoscopic surgery: surgical education in the People's Republic of China: changes after 15 years.

The introduction of laparoscopic surgery education in Mainland China took place in 1991, when Chinese surgeons rushed to the hospital where the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the country was performed to learn the keyhole technique; and different groups of surgeons from Western countries visited the land to convey their experience and foresight with their friendship. The situation in laparoscopic surgery and its education has changed a lot in the last 15 years. Communication via conference and workshops are used heavily as a teaching method in laparoscopic surgery education. Technical training is conveyed mainly in laparoscopic centers. Simple simulators created by Chinese surgeons, technical support by the Western forerunners, financial support, and other resources from major companies, and the large population contributed a lot to the fast development of laparoscopic surgery in China.