title: Improvements in laparoscopic treatment for complicated appendicitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine if results for laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis have improved with 15 years of experience and advances in technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 169 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in 2009 was performed. Of these, the 25 who were identified with gangrenous appendicitis and the 25 with perforated appendicitis served as our study population. These patients were compared with 15 patients with gangrenous appendicitis and 19 patients with perforated appendicitis from 1995 who had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy to determine if improvements in patient outcome have coincided with improvements in experience and technology. Patient demographics, operating time, length of hospitalization, and complications were compared and analyzed for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were similar regarding age and sex distribution. Operating time was unchanged between the two study times. A significant improvement was seen in length of stay and a trend toward fewer infectious complications in the later study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experience and advances in medical technology have translated into improved results for laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frazee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000639:trends*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000639:trends*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome