TITLE:
Overview of Laparoscopic Practice in the Management of Gynecological Emergencies at Amath Dansokho Regional Hospital Center in Kédougou, Senegal: 34-Month Prospective Study
AUTHORS:
Wade Mouhamadou, Diallo Moussa, Sarr Alfred Ndiaye, Sène Yaye Amade, Sané Doudou
KEYWORDS:
Gynecological Surgical Emergencies, Laparoscopy, African Context
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.9,
September
12,
2025
ABSTRACT: Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of gynecological surgical emergencies using laparoscopy in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Amath Dansokho Regional Hospital Center, to identify its advantages, and to determine the obstacles to its implementation. Patients and Methods: This was a 34-month prospective study conducted from September 30, 2022, July 31, 2025, in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Amath Dansokho Regional Hospital Center. All patients who were admitted and operated on by laparoscopy for a gynecological surgical emergency were included. Data collection and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel 2021 and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 24, Mac version). Results: The mean age was 28.02 years, ranging from 19 to 47 years. The average gravidity and parity were 2.5 and 2.1, respectively. Most patients were referred from surrounding health centers, with an average travel distance of 33.7 km (range: 4.3 km - 106.7 km). The main reasons for consultation were secondary amenorrhea and pelvic pain, accounting for 57.1% of cases. The most common conditions were ectopic pregnancy (66.1%) and ovarian cyst torsion (22.5%). Among the ectopic pregnancies, 21 out of 30 were ruptured. Total laparoscopic salpingectomy was the most frequently performed surgical procedure, in 90% of cases. Torsions were located on the left side in 7 out of 12 cases and were necrotic in 50%. The average operative time was 50 minutes. Preoperative complications occurred in 45.7% of cases, the majority of which required blood transfusion. No conversion to laparotomy was necessary. Conclusion: In the African context, where cultural beliefs often delay medical consultation, gynecological emergencies are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, frequently leading to hemodynamic complications. Although laparoscopy is still underutilized in Africa, it is gradually gaining traction, with an increasing number of facilities adopting this surgical technique.