Evaluation of laparoscopy in management of acute appendicitis

ABSTRACT

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common problems requiring emergency surgery. It has been estimated that the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is only between 75-90%. Thus, accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis is still difficult. This prospective study was aiming to evaluate the role of laparoscopy in management of suspected acute appendicitis. This study included thirty patients having suspected acute appendicitis. The usual clinical and laboratory assessment were done for all patients. Then patients had inclusion criteria were managed laparoscopicaly. Evaluation was made based on the comparison of clinical, laboratory and laparoscopic findings with histological examination of removed specimen. This study included thirty patients, their sex was 18 females and 12 males with mean age was 28.73 +/- 8.39 years. Laparoscopy was able to settle the correct diagnosis in 29 patients with high diagnostic accuracy [96.6%]. There was one patient [3.3%] who developed internal hemorrhage that easily controlled after conversion to open procedure. Laparoscopic assessment was advantageous in cases of diagnostic uncertainty especially if combined with the clinical findings, so can save patients from unnecessary explorations. It has fewer complications, diminished pain, shortened convalescence, decreased wound infection rate and mostly reduced hospital stay