Comparison of laparoscopic and open appendectomy in terms of operative time, hospital stay and frequency of surgical site infection

ABSTRACT

To compare laparoscopic and conventional open appendectomy in terms of operative time, hospital stay and frequency of surgical site infection [SSI]. Quasi-experimental study. Combined Military Hospital, Quetta from 6[th] Jun 2010 to 1[st] Sep 2011 and Combined Military Hospital, Multan, Pakistan from 2[nd] Sep 2011 to 5[th] Jun 2012 over a period of 2 years. A total of 417 patients underwent appendectomy during this period. 137 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy [group A] while 280 patients had open appendectomy [group B]. The sample includes all patients who were operated upon, between the time-span of June 2010 to September 2011. A chi square-test was performed to compare the data for statistical significance. Mean operative time for group A was 79.21 +/- 23.42 minutes whereas in group B, the mean operative time was 41.49 +/- 20.86 minutes. Group A patients had a shorter hospital, 1 stay [3.6 +/- 1 day] but in group B, it was [5.2 +/- 3 days]. Seven patients [5.1%] developed surgical site infection [SSI] in group A and 34 patients [12.14%] developed postoperative SSI in group B [p < 0.05]. Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy because of shorter hospital stay and lesser post-operative SSI, but requires longer operative time