Publication:

An observational study to compare single incision laparoscopic appendectomy with conventional multiport laparoscopic appendectomy

Background Appendicitis is the most common intra-abdominal condition requiring emergency surgery and it is approached by laparoscopic procedures. Innovative methods were developed that reduce tissue trauma and offer improved cosmetic results, one of such being the single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) with advantages of reduced postoperative morbidity and almost invisible scar.

Methods 60 patients were included in the study after meeting inclusion criteria and divided into two groups 30 each. One group had undergone single incision laparoscopic appendectomy and other with multiple port laparoscopic appendectomy. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were collected. Data involving patients’ demographics, operative time, length of hospital stay and both intraoperative and postoperative complications were collected.

Results The mean duration of surgery in multiple appendectomy was lesser compared to single port appendectomy and values are insignificant (p =0.1844) when compared between the two groups. None of the patients in both the groups did not have any intraoperative complication. Only one patient in single port appendectomy converted to open surgery. The mean postoperative pain VAS score was 2.00 in multiport appendectomy group which was significantly more as compared to 1.60 among single port appendectomy group after 24 hrs. The postoperative complications and the duration of stay in hospital were almost similar in both the groups. The complications observed during follow up in both the cases were minimal and statistically insignificant.

Conclusions The major advantage of SILS is cosmetic satisfaction, while the disadvantages of SILS are longer operative time and higher conversion rate.