One Less: Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy Facilitates Postoperative Opioid Avoidance

Opioid use has become an epidemic problem. There has been a recent push toward strategies that minimize postoperative opioid use. Appendectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in the pediatric population. Single-incision appendectomy through the umbilicus is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. The aim of this project was to review opioid utilization in children who have undergone single incision appendectomy for perforated and nonperforated appendicitis. A retrospective review, approved by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Institutional Review Board, of 500 patients at a single institution under the age of 18 who had an appendectomy between May 1, 2018, and December 1, 2021, was performed. A final population cohort of 432 was assembled after excluding non-single-incision cases (67) and non-appendectomy cases (1). Outcomes of interest were length of stay, age, appendix perforation status, and opioids at discharge status. All patients were sent home without opioids. A total of 432 patients underwent a single incision laparoscopic appendectomy, with an overall average length of stay of 2.1 days, average age of 11.1 years, and zero patients were sent home on opioids. The perforated appendix population (n = 169) yielded a less than 4-day stay, an average age of 10.33 years, and 61.5% male. Meanwhile, the nonperforated appendix population (n = 264) revealed a 0.8-day stay, an average age of 11.59, years and 54.2% male. The differences between perforated and nonperforated appendectomies are significant for average length of stay (P < .001) and average age (P < .01). Being cognizant of opioid utilization in the management of postoperative pain control is important to address the current opioid crisis. The single incision laparoscopic approach for pediatric appendectomy can potentially decrease the need for postoperative narcotics. No children were sent home with narcotics in our population. The procedure is well tolerated and can be performed with traditional laparoscopic equipment.