title: Competitive edge of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy: a subgroup comparison analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the advances in laparoscopic instruments and surgical techniques, the use of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In this retrospective analysis, we aimed to determine the competitive edge of LA versus open appendectomy (OA) in different settings of disease complexity, gender, and age difference.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of the patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis at Changhua and Chang-Bing Show-Chwan Memorial Hospitals from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 was conducted. Trend and indication of OA and LA were recorded, combined with a comparison of medical costs, complication rates, wound infection rates, and hospital stays in different settings of disease complexity, gender, and age group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1366 appendicitis patients were enrolled, and the rate of LA use increased rapidly, from 8.1% in 2004 to 90.3% in 2009. The increased use of LA was seen in both the uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis patients and in both gender and age groups (pediatric, adult, and elderly). Compared with OA, LA was associated with a lower complication rate (9.5% versus 5.8%; P = .013), a lower wound infection rate (8.6% versus 4.2%; P = .001), and a shorter hospital stay (4.60 ± 3.64 versus 4.06 ± 1.84 days; P = .001), but a higher mean cost (32,670 ± 28,568 versus 37,567 ± 12,064 New Taiwan dollars). In the subgroup analysis, the patients with complicated appendicitis, female patients, and pediatric and elderly patients benefited from a reduced hospital stay. LA is about 15% more expensive than OA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LA is as safe and effective as OA in many settings of appendicitis and may be selectively advantageous in patients with complicated appendicitis and in elderly subgroups.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hurng-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hung-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Shou-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Yueh-Tsung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dar-Ren
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chin-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001065:Appendix / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult