Using the endoscopic snare to facilitate two-port laparoscopic appendectomy

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Innovation
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy, a standard treatment for appendicitis, typically uses three ports.
• Advancements focus on reducing surgical trauma and improving cosmesis via fewer, smaller incisions.
• Two-port laparoscopic appendectomy aims to decrease postoperative pain and enhance patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel technique for two-port laparoscopic appendectomy.
• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of using an endoscopic snare in this procedure.
• To assess patient satisfaction and cosmetic results of the minimally invasive approach.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 85 patients undergoing two-port laparoscopic appendectomy with an endoscopic snare.
• Data collected from two research centers in Zagazig, Egypt (July 2022 - July 2023).
• Primary outcome: length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes: operative duration and cosmetic satisfaction.

Main Results:

• All 85 procedures were successfully completed without significant difficulty.
• Mean operative time was 43.78 ± 8.46 minutes; mean hospital stay was 1.12 ± 0.74 days.
• No major complications occurred; four cases of minor port site infection resolved within one week.

Conclusions:

• Two-port laparoscopic appendectomy utilizing an endoscopic snare is a viable surgical option.
• The technique is associated with high patient satisfaction and excellent cosmetic outcomes.
• This approach offers a minimally invasive alternative for treating acute appendicitis.