ABSTRACT
Objective To compare laparoscopic appendectomy to conventional operation for the treatment of appendicitis.Methods In this study 1558 patients diagnosed as appendicitis were divided into group A(laparoscopic appendectomy)and group B(conventional operation)according to the random numbers.In group A,779 patients were treated with laparoscopic appendectomy.In group B,779 patients were treated with conventional open appendectomy.The inhospital data and that of followed-up were compared.Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS11.5 for Windows.Comparisons between categorical variables and continuous variables were analyzed using the X~2 test and t test.Results The operation was successfully performed in all 1558 patients.The operating time in group A and B were(30±2.2)min versus(30±1.6)min(t=0.00,P>0.05),the blood loss were(15±2.9)ml versus(29±5.2)ml(t=65.62,P<0.05),the bed off activity time were(26±3.1)h versus(51±2.1)h(t=69.95,P<0.05),the bowels'move time were(29±1.6)h versus(52±4.6)h(t=10.92,P<0.05),the hospital stay were(3±0.9)d versus(7±1.2)d(t=74.42,P<0.05),the inhospital cost was (6591±41)yuan versus(4860±32)yuan(t=-12.19,P<0.05),the incision infection rate was 0 and 2.8%(X~2=25.40,P<0.05).Postoperative analgesics were needed in 3.8% and 31.4% (X~2=30.63,P<0.05).All the patients were followed-up from 4.5 years to 9.8 years(average 6.8 years).The development of incision hernia in group A and B was 0 versus 0.64% (X~2=5.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Laparoscopic appendectomy is a therapy of choice for patients with acute appendicitis with advantages of minimal invasion,early recovery,few complications and short hospital stay.