Short-stay open appendectomy.
OBJECTIVE
This report describes a minimally invasive short-stay open appendectomy technique which improves the length of stay in comparison to traditional open appendectomy and improves the cost of hospitalization in comparison to laparoscopic appendectomy.


METHODS
This retrospective analysis reviewed 100 consecutive children treated with traditional open appendectomy and 100 consecutive children treated with a minimally invasive short-stay open technique with local infiltration of bupivacaine hydrochloride. Data collected for each child included age, sex, diagnosis, operative time, return to activity time, complications, length of stay, and hospital charge.


RESULTS
The mean length of stay (LOS) was reduced from 2.7 days for traditional open appendectomy patients to 1.0 day for minimally invasive short-stay open appendectomy. The mean hospital charge (HC) for this short-stay open appendectomy, US dollars 6795, was significantly less than the mean HC for traditional open appendectomy (US dollars 8162), and for laparoscopic appendectomy (US dollars 7668).


CONCLUSIONS
This short-stay open appendectomy technique offers an efficacious alternative to both traditional open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy.
Janik
J S
JS
Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital/University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80218, USA. janik.joseph@tchden.org
Janik
J E
JE
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine