Laparoscopic vs mini-incision open appendectomy

Area of Science:

• Surgical procedures
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Gastrointestinal surgery

Background:

• Appendectomy is a common surgical procedure for acute appendicitis.
• Minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) are increasingly adopted.
• Mini-incision open appendectomy (MOA) presents an alternative approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) versus mini-incision open appendectomy (MOA).
• To evaluate procedure time, pain, hospital stay, and complication rates.
• To determine the optimal surgical approach for acute appendicitis based on recent data.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial comparing LA and MOA in 243 patients.
• Exclusion criteria included pregnant women and those with prior lower abdominal surgery.
• Data collected: procedure time, hospital stay, pain scores (VAS), and morbidities.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in operation time or overall complication rates between LA and MOA.
• Laparoscopic appendectomy resulted in significantly lower postoperative pain scores (VAS) and reduced need for analgesics.
• Morbidity rates were comparable, with similar wound infection and pelvic abscess rates.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy should be considered the standard treatment for acute appendicitis.
• Mini-incision appendectomy remains a viable alternative for select patients.
• LA offers advantages in pain management and analgesic requirements post-surgery.