Laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.
BACKGROUND
Acute gangrenous and perforating appendicitis are associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications and have been considered a relative contraindication of laparoscopic appendectomy.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the complication rate following laparoscopic appendectomy for gangrenous of perforating appendicitis.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for gangrenous or perforating appendicitis.


METHODS
A multispecialty clinic.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for gangrenous appendicitis and 19 patients for perforating appendicitis. In the gangrenous appendicitis group, average operating time was 85 minutes; average length of hospitalization, 2 days; and morbidity rate, 7% (one patient with abdominal abscess). The perforating appendicitis group had an average operating time of 84 minutes, hospitalization of 7 days, and a morbidity rate of 42%. This morbidity included five patients (26%) who developed intra-abdominal abscesses, two patients (10%) in whom wound infections developed, and one patient (5%) who died of Candida sepsis and multisystem organ failure.
Frazee
R C
RC
Division of General Surgery, Scott & White Clinic, Temple, Tex., USA.
Bohannon
W T
WT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome