Laparoscopic versus open surgical exploration in premenopausal women with suspected acute appendicitis

To assess the utility of laparoscopic versus conventional surgical exploration in premenopausal women with suspected acute appendicitis.

Female patients aged 15-45 years in whom an independent decision to undertake surgical exploration had been made, were randomised to laparoscopic or open procedures. Comparison of patient groups was conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.

Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic exploration, with 1 procedure requiring conversion to lower midline laparotomy. Open surgical exploration was performed primarily in 16 patients. Postoperative complications (3 patients versus 1 patient) and diagnostic errors (5 patients versus 1 patient) were more frequent in patients undergoing open surgical procedures. Laparoscopic procedures tended to be of longer duration than open operations, but were generally associated with slightly more favourable indices of postoperative recovery (analgesic requirement, postoperative hospitalisation, return to normal activity, return to work). In patients found not to have acute appendicitis, the difference in mean postoperative hospitalisation following laparoscopic intervention (2.6 days) and conventional surgery (3.4 days) approached statistical significance (p < 0.1).

Laparoscopy may carry some diagnostic advantage over open surgery in premenopausal women with suspected acute appendicitis. Patients found not to have acute appendicitis have a marginally shorter period of hospitalisation after laparoscopic intervention. The outcome following laparoscopic appendicectomy for confirmed acute appendicitis is at least equivalent to that achieved with conventional appendicectomy. Laparoscopic exploration is an acceptable option in premonopausal women requiring surgery for suspected acute appendicitis.