title: Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: a comparison of primary outcome measures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare laparoscopic and open appendectomy (OA) in terms of primary outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial. Place and duration of the study: Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, February 2008 to December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 160 patients were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A patients were subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), whereas Group B patients were subjected to OA. Data regarding age, gender, and primary outcome measures, such as hospital stay, operative duration, and postoperative complication, were recorded and analyzed. Percentages were calculated for categorical data, whereas numerical data were represented as mean ± SD. Chi-square test and t test were used to compare categorical and numerical variables, respectively. Probability ≤ 0.05 (P ≤ 0.05) was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After randomization, 72 patients in group A and 75 patients in group B were analyzed. The mean age of patients in groups A and B was 23.09 ± 8.51 and 23.12 ± 10.42 years, respectively, (P = 0.981). The mean hospital stay was 1.52 ± 0.76 days in group A and 1.70 ± 1.06 days in group B (P = 0.294). The mean operative duration in group A and B were 47.54 ± 12.82 min and 31.36 ± 11.43 min, respectively (P < 0.001). Pain (overall level) was significantly less in group A compared with group B (P = 0.004). The two groups were comparable in terms of other postoperative complications, such as hematoma (P = 0.87), paralytic ileus (P = 0.086), urinary retention (P = 0.504), and wound infection (P = 0.134).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LA is an equivalent procedure and not superior to OA in terms of primary outcome measures.
authors: Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. jawwad_khalil@yahoo.com
authors: Jawad
authors: J
authors: Khalil
authors: Roohul
authors: R
authors: Muqim
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Rafique
authors: Mansoor
authors: M
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010154:Pakistan; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult