Publication:

Comparison of the complications between laparoscopic and open appendectomy: a study in a teaching hospital in Telangana, India

Background Given the large number of procedures done annually, the validation of a minimally invasive technique that would improve outcomes may have a direct impact on patient management and possibly an indirect effect on the economics of health care. Even now, the benefits of the laparoscopic appendectomy over the open appendectomy are still controversial. The objective of the study was to analyze the difference in the benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy.

Methods The patients scheduled for appendectomy were divided into 2 groups : laparoscopic group who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy consisted of 69 patients and open group who underwent open abdominal appendectomy consisted of 42 patients.

Results The mean operating time in the laparoscopic group was 68 minutes while in the open group it was 55 minutes. The number of analgesic doses given to the patients was 2.4 in the laparoscopic group and 3.6 in the open group. The intake of the oral foods was also faster after the laparoscopy than after open surgery while the hospital stay was lesser. Post-operative complications observed in the laparoscopic surgery patients were diarrhea in 2 patients, one case of urinary tract infection, post-operative bleeding, surgical site infections and intra-abdominal abscess. Among the open group patients, 4 patients had surgical site infection and 3 had diarrhea. 2 patietns had intra-abdominal abscess and intraoperative bleeding.

Conclusions Laparoscopic appendectomy is an effective and safe procedure which can be performed on any kind of patient regardless of the age, sex and BMI.