title: Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: a comparative study.
abstract: There are many questions regarding the advantages and disadvantages a videolaparoscopic approach in the treatment of acute appendicitis. The authors present the results of a non-randomized, prospective study with 496 patients admitted between January 1992 and March 1998 by the General Surgery Service of São Rafael Hospital Salvador-BA-Brazil. The patients were submitted for appendicectomy by video laparoscopy or by the traditional open method, and variables such as surgery duration, morbidity, mortality, costs, and length of stay (LOS) were compared. The results demonstrate that laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe alternative for treatment of acute appendicitis; however, there are several disadvantages that gradually must be overcome.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Service-Hospital São Rafael, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Azaro
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Alcântara
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Regis
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Fogagnoli
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: do Carmo
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Stagliorio
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fahel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome