[Laparoscopic appendectomy as training procedure for all stages of appendicitis]

Appendectomy is one of the most common procedures in general surgery. Appendectomy is routinely performed in our department laparoscopically and as a training procedure for all stages of appendicitis. Between 1.1.2003 till 31.7.2005 642 patients underwent appendectomy. 613 of them were performed laparoscopically with a conversion rate of 0,6% in uncomplicated findings and 8,1% in complicated findings (perforated, abscess and gangrenous appendicitis). The postoperative recovery after laparoscopic appendectomy was without any significant complication in 98.2% of the patients with acute appendicitis and 89% of the patients with complicated findings. The overall morbidity rate in both situations (uncomplicated and complicated findings) did not differ from that described in literature. This supports impressively our thesis that laparoscopic appendectomy is feasible in all situations, with a high value for training young surgeons.