Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in females with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis.
OBJECTIVE
Appendectomy can be performed using either a laparoscopic technique (LT) or an open technique (OT). We compared the following items operative, anesthesia, length of stay, post-operative pain, medicine, wound healing, days to return to normal activity in both groups.


METHODS
This study was carried out at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Al-Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 1999 to April 2000. We randomly assigned 60 female patients to appendectomy by LT or OT. The 2 groups were compared concerning demographic data. The differences were considered statistically significant at a P value < 0.05.


RESULTS
The open group had shorter anesthesia and operative time (68, 50 versus 85, 65 minutes). The laparoscopic group had a significant reduced postoperative narcotic requirement (P<0.05), quicker reintroduction of diet and quicker return to normal activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic appendectomy in female patients with clinical diagnosis of appendicitis is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and the management of acute appendicitis.
Al-Mulhim
Abdulrahman S
AS
Department of Surgery, King Fahad Hospital, PO Box 1164, Hofuf, Al-Hassa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. abdu3939@yahoo.com
Al-Mulhim
Faisal M
FM
Al-Suwaiygh
Abdulmohsen A
AA
Al-Masaud
Nabil A
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D016896:Treatment Outcome