Top gynaecology consultant Peter O'Donovan has called for better training for surgeons who undertake keyhole operations.

Keyhole surgery - where surgeons operate through a tube inserted into the patient - has become more common and popular as it removes the need for lengthy hospital stays.

But Mr O'Donovan, who works at Bradford Royal Infirmary, told fellow doctors that surgeons used to performing this procedure must be able to cope when things go wrong. In his first address as vice-president of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy he said: "It is clear that keyhole surgery has significant advantages over conventional techniques but, when complications arise, surgeons often have to revert to open surgery."

He told the society's annual meeting in Leeds yesterday: "I am concerned that training procedures concentrate too much on keyhole surgery to the neglect of open surgery. A fundamental rethink is needed if we are to minimise the risk to patients of surgeons being inadequately trained in open surgery."

Mr O'Donovan said: "One needs to call a spade a spade. I can see that unless someone highlights this area it will not be highlighted."

Bradford Royal Infirmary's obstetrics and gynaecology unit for women is a leading light in techniques using endoscopy, where operations are carried out without the need for major surgery.

The department performs about 4,500 gynaecology operations a year, with up to half of women coming for hysterectomy to remove the womb able to have alternative treatments instead.

Mr O'Donovan said the patient had to be fully informed about the implications of each sort of treatment options, so she could make an informed decision.

"It's an individual thing for each patient," he said. "The patient is the final judge."

Mr O'Donovan, who trained as a general surgeon before becoming a gynaecology specialist, said in some operations such as gall bladder removal about 90 per cent were done using the keyhole technique.

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