[Appendectomies. Mac Burney or laparoscopy? (100 cases)]

The authors have compared their early (50 cases) experience on laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis with a control group treated by open approach. A teaching period is necessary to reduce the converting rate to an open procedure from 22% to 6% p = 0.05 and to obtain an equal median anesthesia time (39 vs 40 mn+/-16) ns). The mean post operative stay for open operation was 5-8 (range 3-23) days and for the laparoscopic route 3.3 (range 1-8) days (p < 0.005). The wound infection rate was 16% (n = 8) for open/ and 0% for laparoscopic appendectomy p = 0.001. The results suggest that emergency laparoscopic appendectomy should be explored further as an alternative to open surgery for acute appendicitis.