Is Laparoscopic Appendicectomy an Acceptable Approach in Management of Patients with Acute Appendicitis?

Background: Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen and appendectomy is the most frequent surgical procedure performed in the world in recent times. In the last few years the number of laparoscopic appendectomies performed around the world has dramatically increased. Objective: The aim of the work is to study the acceptance and satisfaction of the patients as regards the laparoscopic approach for management of acute appendicitis and evaluation the results. Patients and methods: It was a comparative study included 100 consecutive patients with acute appendicitis. They were given the options to accept the approach for appendectomy whether open or laparoscopic after discussion the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and the last decision were left to the patient. The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Aswan University Hospital and a written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Results: The consecutive patients of age ranging from 15-45 years with features suggestive of acute appendicitis were divided into laparoscopic appendectomy group (LA) 70 cases and open appendectomy group (OA) 30 cases, after taking informed consent. LA was done with the help of three trocar/cannulae creating pneumoperitoneum with CO2 whereas OA was performed by McBurney incision. The operating times in OA and LA were 20-70 minutes (mean 30) and 25-95 minutes (mean 55) respectively. Increased doses of analgesics, antibiotics and antiemetics were required in OA, as compared to LA. The mean postoperative hospital stay in LA group was 1.4 days (range 1-3 days) whereas it was in OA group, it was 3.5 days (range 2- 6 days). Conclusion: LA is safe and has major benefits like less postoperative pain, decreased wound infection, early hospital discharged, early return to work and a better cosmetic scar than OA.