Laparoscopic appendicectomy--a trainee's experience

Abstract

Aim: A retrospective audit was carried out of a single advance surgical trainee's experience with laparoscopic appendicectomy, in an attempt to justify its ongoing utilization in the management of patients with this acute surgical presentation.

Results: Two hundred laparoscopic appendicectomies have been performed over the last four years on an intention-to-treat basis. Sixty-five per cent have been female, with an average population age of 24 years. There was a true appendicitis rate of 79%, with a conversion rate of 6%, and a mean operating time of 32 minutes. Complications have included intra-abdominal sepsis in three (1.5%) and postoperative ileus (1%). There have been no reported wound infections. The mean times to discharge were two days in the laparoscopic group and 3.7 days in the converted group.

Conclusion: This study supports the utilization of laparoscopic appendicectomy as a safe and effective operation for surgical trainees to gain laparoscopic experience.