Coelioscopy has many advantages unlike classical surgery [1] . These advantages include mini-invasive character, decrease post-operative morbidities, aesthetic profit, magnified view of the operating field, precision and surgical gestures efficiency, respect for the anatomy and physiology [2] . With the modernization of surgery, the population of the city of Yokadouma located 600 km from Yaounde is not exempted from the benefit of this practice. In our study, we examine laparoscopic treatment of hernia linea alba, inguinal, umbilical, and the appendicectomy. The purpose of the study is to present the results of the first laparoscopic surgeries done in Yokadouma.

We carried out a prospective descriptive study from March 2020 to March 2021 in the general surgical service of the Yokadouma district hospital. The participants in this study were patients who had a celioscopic surgery during the study period and accepted to participate. Patients who refused the study were not included. A total sample size of 40 patients was recruited. Analyzed variables were age, sex, occupation, the location of the hernia, the type of hernia, surgical technique, the number days of post-operatory hospital stay and immediate surgical complications. Data collected were analyzed by “Census software and Survey Processing System” (CSPRO). Authorisation was obtained from Yokadouma district hospital ethical committee.

This Table 1 shows that majority of patients had ages between 16 and 30 years (32.5%). The patients aged 0 to 15 represented the lowest ratio with 7.5% of cases. Most patients were males with a sex ratio of 1.48. Farming was the most represented profession (30% of cases), followed by unemployed (25% of cases). Civil servants and different employees of society and Non-Governmental Organization represented just 15% of patients operated.

This Table 2 shows that abdominal wall hernia represented the mostly diagnosed disease with 57.5% of cases, followed by appendicitis (2.8% of cases) and diagnosis via coelioscopy (1.2% of cases). Ovarians cysts, and cholecystitis represented just 0.8% of cases each.

This Table 3 shows that the intervention mostly carried out was pre-peritoneal transabdominal placement of prosthesis, indicated for hernia with 55% of cases, followed by appendicectomies with 15% of cases. 0.8% of cases needed conversion into open surgery involving an appendicectomy and a pre-peritoneal transabdominal placement of prosthesis for a left inguinal hernia.

This Table 4 shows that 87.5% of interventions had an operation time between (2 and 4) hours. 52.5% of patients were hospitalised for (24 to 48) hours post-operation whereas 47.5% of patients were hospitalized for (48 to 72) hours after the operation.

This Table 5 shows that 90% of patients had no or mild post-operatory pain against 10% of patients who presented a moderate to severe pain. Moreover, 2.5% of patients had a pariétale infection and there is no recurrence over one year in hernia cases.

This Figure 1 shows that 77% of patients paid less than 200,000 fcfa and 23% paid an amount between 201,000 fcfa and 300,000 fcfa.

Coelioscopy is a safe and feasible surgical technique which can be used in the management of many general surgical conditions in peripheral zones and should be encouraged. The first set of laparoscopy at the Yokadouma district hospital has yielded satisfactory results. Maximum decrease in post-operatory morbidity and aesthetic profits with this procedure are advantages to the patients.

What is already know on this topic

• Advantages of laparoscopy

•Indications of this technique

What this study adds

•laparoscopy is possible in rural areas in Cameroon

All authors participated in the study and have read and approved the final manuscript.

*All authors equally participated in the production of this article

^#Corresponding author.