Laparoscopic appendectomy: Effectiveness in children with generalized and advanced generalized peritonitis cases

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Appendicitis is common in children, with laparoscopic appendectomy being a standard treatment.
• Advanced generalized peritonitis presents unique challenges in pediatric appendicitis management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in pediatric patients with advanced generalized peritonitis.
• To compare outcomes between uncomplicated, complicated, and advanced generalized peritonitis cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 55 pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy cases.
• Classification of cases into uncomplicated, complicated, and advanced generalized peritonitis groups.
• Analysis of laboratory results, surgical techniques, and complications.

Main Results:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed on 55 children (31 female, 24 male).
• 36% of cases were uncomplicated, while 64% were complicated, with 9 cases of advanced generalized peritonitis.
• No intraoperative or early postoperative complications occurred; 7% experienced later infections. Mean hospital stay was longer for complicated and advanced peritonitis cases.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy is a viable and safe treatment for pediatric appendicitis, even in cases with advanced generalized peritonitis.
• The procedure demonstrated good outcomes with minimal immediate complications, suggesting its potential as a first-line option.