The Development of Laparoscopic Surgery in Guatemala and
Central America
presented by Roberto Gallardo Diaz, MD, Honorary Chair
In the third world, 50% to 60% of surgeries are open;
however, surgeons are starting to learn laparoscopic techniques. They work hard and try to stay
up-to-date. Now technology is open to everyone, so laparoscopy is becoming more
widespread in areas like Central America.
Laparoscopic surgery was performed first in Guatemala of all Central American countries by Dr. Juan Lombillo in 1991. Afterwards, interest in minimally invasive surgery began to spread, particularly in Guatemala. Other surgeons, 4 from Guatemala and 4 from other Central American countries, joined together to form the Latin-American Endoscopic Surgery Association (ALACE), which is now participating with SAGES, SLS, SOBRACIL, and other organizations to promote surgical education and training to all those interested in laparoscopic techniques. In fact, the 8th Latin-American Congress of Laparoscopic Surgery was held in Guatemala, which included symposiums presented not only by members from Central America but also by members of other surgical organizations.
In Central America today, surgeons receive advanced training in laparoscopy, and many are authorities in different fields. Laparoscopy has developed so quickly that there are now 2 referral centers, one in Guatemala and one in Costa Rica. Many surgical leaders from Guatemala belong to international laparoscopic surgical associations. They are giving courses in advanced laparoscopic surgery, including bariatric, colon, and mini-laparoscopic surgical techniques. They want to spread mini-laparoscopic techniques to surgeons throughout Central America, because they know the superior quality of these techniques compared with open techniques.
In the future, Guatemala will have a leading role in promoting laparoscopic surgery throughout Central America, and education for surgeons will continue to improve.
Roberto Gallardo Diaz, MD is President, Latin-American Endoscopic Surgery Association (ALACE) and the
Federation of Association of Surgery of Central America and Panama (FECCAP).
