Short term and long term results after open vs. laparoscopic appendectomy in childhood and adolescence: a subgroup analysis.
BACKGROUND
A comparative study was performed to compare quality of life after laparoscopic and open appendectomy in children and adolescents in a German General Hospital. The same study population was re-evaluated regarding their quality of life several years after operation.


METHODS
Children and adolescents (n = 158) who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between 1999 and 2001 were retrospectively analysed. Seven years after surgery those patients were interviewed applying a SF-36 questionnaire regarding their quality of life.


RESULTS
For short term outcomes there was a trend towards reduced specific postoperative complications in the laparoscopically operated group (9.3 vs. 10.7%). Significantly more patients in the laparoscopic group would recommend the operation procedure to family members or friends than in the open group. Among the evaluated patients there was a significantly higher satisfaction concerning size and appearance of their scars in the laparoscopic group. The results of the evaluation in the eight categories of the SF-36 showed similar results in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
More patients with laparoscopic appendectomy appeared to be satisfied with their operation method as becomes evident by a higher recommendation rate and a higher satisfaction concerning their scars.
Department of Surgery, Klinik St, Georg, Lohmuehlenstrasse 05, D-20099 Hamburg, Germany. mkapischke@web.de.
Matthias
M
Kapischke
Alexandra
A
Pries
Amke
A
Caliebe
D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires