Publication:

Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: an observational study from a peripheral hospital with limited facilities in Kashmir, India

Background Appendectomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in abdominal surgery and the laparoscopic approach is gradually replacing the conventional laparotomy for acute appendicitis.

Methods A total of 108 patients with acute appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at JLNM Hospital Srinagar over a period of five years were evaluated in terms of feasibility and safety of the procedure at the District level hospital. It was an observational study.

Results The age of the patient ranged between 16 and 43 years, with 68 males and 40 females. Most (76.85%) of the patients had un-ruptured inflamed appendix. The mean operative time was 43 minutes with no intra-operative complications. Two patients required conversion to open surgery. Mean duration of hospital stay was 1.7 days. Eight patients had post-operative complications which were managed conservatively.

Conclusions Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and feasible in expert hands, and can be done using low cost, readily available basic laparoscopic instruments and suture materials at hospitals with limited facilities.