Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy: Prospective Study in Almouwasst University Hospital

Abstract

Background & Aim: Controversy still continues about the advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy. In this study we report the experience with laparoscopic (LA) and open appendicectomies (OA) achieved in a Almouwaast University Hospital over two years.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of cases of acute appendicitis treated between 1/3/2016 and 28/2/2018. Patients treated by the laparoscopy and open techniques were compared in terms of the duration of operation, post-operative analgesia, length of hospital stay and operative and postoperative complications.

Results: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) group consisted of 91 cases and the open surgery (OA) group consisted of 160 cases. The mean age of the patients was 25.3 years (range 17-48) in (LA) group and 24.1 years (range 16-50) in (OA) group. The mean operative duration was 48min (range32-105) in (LA) group and 30 min in (OA) group (range 22-55).there were no Port-site infection (redness or discharge) in (LA) group, the wound infection was seen in 15(9%) cases in (OA) group. The mean length of hospital stay was 30 hours in (LA) group and 35 hours in (OA) group. Five patients in (LA) group were converted to OA (conversion rate 5%). There were no registered mortalities in this study

Conclusion: LA has the advantage of resulting in less postoperative pain, shorter postoperative ileus, earlier postoperative recovery, lower complication rates, and shorter hospital stay, whereas OA has the advantage of being a shorter procedure.