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Comparative Study
. 2008 Aug 21;14(31):4909-14.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4909.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: which way to go?

Ioannis Kehagias  1 , Stavros Nikolaos Karamanakos, Spyros Panagiotopoulos, Konstantinos Panagopoulos, Fotis Kalfarentzos
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: which way to go?

Ioannis Kehagias et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To compare the outcome of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 293 consecutive patients with acute appendicitis were studied. These comprised of 165 patients who underwent conventional appendectomy and 128 patients treated laparoscopically. The two groups were compared with respect to operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, complication rate and cost.

Results: There were no statistical differences regarding patient characteristics between the two groups. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 2 patients (1.5%). Laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with a shorter hospital stay (2.2 d vs 3.1 d, P = 0.04), and lower incidence of wound infection (5.3% vs 12.8%, P = 0.03). However, in patients with complicated disease, intra-abdominal abscess formation was more common after laparoscopic appendectomy (5.3% vs 2.1%, P = 0.002). The operative time and analgesia requirements were similar in the two groups. The cost of treatment was higher by 370 EUR in the laparoscopic group.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy is as safe and efficient as open appendectomy, provided surgical experience and equipment are available.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain assessment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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