title: Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis.
abstract: Although laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis is feasible and safe, its application to perforated appendicitis is uncertain. A retrospective study of all patients with perforated appendicitis from 1992 to 1999 in a university hospital was performed. A series of 231 patients were diagnosed as having perforated appendicitis. Of these patients, 85 underwent laparoscopy (LA), among whom 40 (47%) required conversion to an open procedure. An open appendectomy (OA) was performed in 146 patients. The operating time was similar for the two groups. Return of fluid and solid diet intake were faster in LA than OA patients (p < 0.01). Postoperative infections including wound infections and abdominal abscesses occurred in 14% of patients in the laparoscopy group and in 26% of those with OA (p < 0.05). The surgeon's experience correlated with the conversion rate. Laparoscopic appendectomy is associated with a high conversion rate for perforated appendicitis. If successful, it offers patients faster recovery and less risk of infectious complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, National University Hospital, Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119072 Singapore.
authors.forename: Jimmy B Y
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Ee-Cherk
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Chiong
authors.forename: Edmond
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiong
authors.forename: Wei-Keat
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Cheah
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lomanto
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Cheng-Kiong
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome