[Laparoscopic versus conventional appendectomy--a comparison with reference to early postoperative complications]

To compare the complications of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and conventional appendectomy (CA) 930 consecutive patients from 1989 until 1997 were analysed retrospectively.

Conventional appendectomy was performed in 330 patients, laparoscopic in 554 patients and another 46 patients required conversion after laparoscopy. The groups were similar in sex ratio, age and degree of inflammation. Postoperative complications occurred in 8.78%. There were less complications in the LA-group (4.69%) than in the CA-group (13.33%) (p < 0.01), especially wound infections were found less in the LA-group (1.8% vs. 11.21%, p < 0.01). The incidence of intraabdominal abscesses was similar in the LA and CA group (1.44% vs. 1.52%). The differences between the groups are not influenced by complicating appendicitis (perforation or abscess). Systemic complications were similar for LA and CA (0.72% and 0.61%), but were seen more often after conversion (6.52%, p < 0.01).

This retrospective analysis shows that laparoscopic appendectomy significantly reduces postoperative complications, especially wound infections. The authors consider laparoscopic appendectomy to be the procedure of choice in patients with acute appendicitis.