A comparison of laparoscopic and open appendectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare laparoscopic appendectomy with traditional open appendectomy.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients requiring operative intervention for suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively compared. Thirty-seven patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, and 34 had open appendectomy through a right lower quadrant incision. Length of surgery, postoperative morbidity and length of postoperative stay (LOS) were recorded. Both groups were similar with regard to age, gender, height, weight, fever, leukocytosis, and incidence of normal vs. gangrenous or perforated appendix.


RESULTS
Mean LOS was significantly shorter for patients with acute suppurative appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (2.5 days vs. 4.0 days, p < 0.01). Mean LOS was no different when patients classified as having gangrenous or perforated appendicitis were included in the analysis (3.7 days vs. 4.1 days, P = 0.11). The laparoscopy group had significantly longer surgery times (72 min vs. 58 min, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces LOS as compared with the traditional open technique in patients with acute suppurative appendicitis. The longer operative time for the laparoscopic approach in our study is likely related to the learning curve associated with the procedure and did not increase morbidity.
Tarnoff
M
M
Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, USA.
Atabek
U
U
Goodman
M
M
Alexander
J B
JB
Chrzanowski
F
F
Mortman
K
K
Camishon
R
R
Pello
M
M
D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome