Sawyer, Emily, Buschel, Helen, Tang, Hannah, Mouline, Omar, and Wu, Roxanne (2024) A review of emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomies in Far North Queensland. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94. pp. 2206-2212.

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Abstract

Background: Access to laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more limited for remote communities and Indigenous patients internationally. To date, studies exploring the incidence of gallstone disease and access to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Australian regional communities are limited. This study examined the rates and outcomes of emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (EMLC) in Far North Queensland, specifically in Indigenous and remote populations.

Aims: We retrospectively examined all patients who underwent an EMLC at Cairns Hospital between 2016 and 2021.

Results: Over the study period, 634 EMLCs were undertaken. The average annual rate of 56 cases per 100 000 was considerably lower than national estimates. However, rates of EMLC were significantly higher in remote communities and Indigenous patients compared with the remaining cohort. Patients from remote communities were more likely to have preexisting gallstone disease but were less likely to have been seen in a surgical outpatient clinic prior to admission. Despite this, surgical outcomes for EMLC were comparable to national and international standards.

Conclusion: This study highlights the challenges in surgical healthcare provision for gallstone disease in a regional centre. The requirement for EMLC disproportionately effects geographically isolated communities and Australian Indigenous people. Addressing the healthcare barriers to management of GD in regional Australia should be a priority.

Item ID:	84865
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1445-2197
Copyright Information:	© 2024 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2025 02:46
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450402 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander biomedical and clinical sciences @ 30% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320226 Surgery @ 70%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200105 Treatment of human diseases and conditions @ 60% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status and outcomes @ 40%
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