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Review of 47 laparoscopic appendectomies
R P Lueken1, C P Moeller, B Heeckt
1Center for Gynecologic Endoscopy, Altonaer Str. 59-61, 20357 Hamburg, Germany,
Study Objective:
To assess the indications, technique, complications, and outcome of endoscopic appendectomies.
Design:
Retrospective study with a follow-up of 2 years.
Setting:
A gynecologic surgical center in Hamburg, Germany.
Patients:
Forty-seven women who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy.
Interventions:
Appendectomies were performed under general anesthesia with bipolar coagulation, loop-ligation, and transection.
Measurements And Main Results:
Forty-seven patients have been followed for 2 years. Thirty laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) were incidental and 17 elective. The majority of LA were performed because of pain symptoms. More than 50% of the patients reported complete pain relief after LA. The average duration of surgery was 47 minutes. The average hospital stay was 66 hours. Use of analgesics was low; 19 women required no analgesia. A febrile reaction was registered in 6%. No wound infection occurred. Two serious complications were noted: one acute peritonitis after 4 days, and one stump abscess after 4 weeks. Both patients recovered uneventfully.
Conclusions:
Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe surgery if the described technique is followed. The complication rate is low, conversion rate is zero, and late results underline successful treatment of pain.