Prospective randomized comparison of open versus laparoscopic appendectomy in men

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
• Traditional open appendectomy has been the standard treatment.
• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly explored for appendicitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of open appendectomy versus laparoscopic appendectomy in men diagnosed with acute appendicitis.
• To evaluate differences in operating time, postoperative hospital stay, complication rates, and recovery time.
• To determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, randomized trial involving 64 male patients with acute appendicitis.
• Patients were randomized to either open appendectomy (n=31) or laparoscopic appendectomy (n=33).
• Data collected included operating time, conversion rates, hospital stay, complications, and time to return to normal activities.

Main Results:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy resulted in a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (2.9 days vs. 3.8 days) and a faster return to normal activities (10.4 days vs. 19.7 days).
• Operating times were similar between groups (58.9 min laparoscopic vs. 50.6 min open).
• Complication rates were not significantly different, although 15% of laparoscopic cases were converted to open procedures.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy demonstrates significant advantages over open appendectomy in men, primarily due to more rapid recovery.
• The laparoscopic approach is associated with reduced morbidity related to recovery time without significant disadvantages in complication rates.
• This study supports the use of laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in men for improved patient outcomes.