Outcome of laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic (LA) vs open appendectomy (OA) in patients with perforated appendicitis in our center.


METHODS
Retrospective review from July 2002 to April 2007 (institutional review board-approved), evaluating 281 patients with perforated appendicitis based on surgical approach. We compared demographics, mean operative time, length of stay (LOS), infectious complications, and follow-up in patients with OA (n = 213) and LA (n = 68).


RESULTS
Laparoscopic appendectomy patients were significantly older (12 vs 9.4 years), heavier (51.8 vs 36.6 kg) and more frequently girls (47.8% vs 34.3%). Mean operative time was longer in LA (72.6 vs 50.2 minutes). Median LOS was 5 days in LA and 6 days in OA. Few patients in each group required a drainage procedure for a persistent abscess (LA 4.4%, OA 4.7%; P = 1.000). Laparoscopic appendectomy patients had fewer wound infections (1.5% vs 9.5%; P = .034), and less follow-up visits were needed (>2 clinic visits 4.5% vs 16.4%; P = .013).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic appendectomy has a shorter median LOS, a trend toward less postoperative infectious complications, and fewer clinic visits than OA, which makes it a safe and effective procedure for patients with perforated appendicitis.
Taqi
Esmaeel
E
Division of Pediatric General Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H3H 1P3.
Al Hadher
Sulaiman
S
Ryckman
Jon
J
Su
Wendy
W
Aspirot
Ann
A
Puligandla
Pramod
P
Flageole
Hélène
H
Laberge
Jean-Martin
JM
D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome