[Appendectomy with intraoperative celioscopy in children. 465 cases]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Context:

• Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children.
• Traditional open appendectomy carries risks of complications and longer recovery times.
• Laparoscopic techniques are increasingly adopted in pediatric surgery.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative celioscopy (laparoscopic appendectomy) in pediatric patients.
• To compare outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy with conventional open surgery.
• To identify the technical advantages and benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Summary:

• A retrospective review of 465 pediatric appendectomies using intraoperative celioscopy was conducted.
• The study reported no deaths, low rates of intraoperative incidents (3.6%) and postoperative complications (3%), with only 1.3% requiring further surgery.
• Key advantages included easier appendix identification, full abdominal exploration, complete peritoneal washing, reduced parietal complications, minimal scarring, fewer abscesses, and quicker recovery.

Impact:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy demonstrates superior results compared to open surgery in pediatric patients.
• This technique minimizes surgical trauma, leading to reduced postoperative morbidity and faster return to normal activities.
• Potential long-term benefits include reduced risk of adhesions, chronic pain, and infertility in girls.