Comparative study of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy

Abstract

Comparative Study of Laparoscopic (LA) versus Open Appendicectomy (OA) as a Cross sectional hospital based study for evaluation of: Postoperative quality of life Postoperative painAmount of Narcotics/Analgesics usedHospital stayTime to full recovery

Background: This underdeveloped residuum of the caecum has no known function and is commonly termed as a 'vestigial' organ, yet diseases of the appendix loom large in surgical practice; and appendicitis continues to be the most common acute abdominal condition that requires immediate surgical treatment.

Study design: Study to be carried out over a period of two months included patient diagnosed with appendicitis and admitted to surgery ward at Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India and St. George Hospital, Mumbai, India and willing to be enrolled in the study.Demographic data, clinical features, investigations, Technique, reintroduction of diet, postoperative pain, use of analgesia, hospital stay were documented and outcome recorded in a predesigned case record form. Return to normal activity and work was determined by questioning during postoperative clinic.

Results: Proved that laparoscopic procedures cause less post-operative pain than their conventional counterpartsAnalgesic requirement for post operative analgesia was significantly less in LA (mean 4 inj. doses) compared to the OA (mean 5.9 inj. doses) Hospital stay was less for LA (2.23 days) than OA (3.4 days) Full recovery on the basis of return to normal activity was earlier in LA (6.53 days) as compared to OA (8.7 days).

Conclusion: LA holds a promising prospect and may replace OA in the near future as the method of choice for effective and qualitative clinical management of appendicitis in emergency and in elective set up.