A Prospective Study on Advantages of Laparoscopic Over Open Appendicectomy in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Appendix has no known function and is commonly termed as a 'vestigial' organ, yet diseases of the appendix loom large in surgical practice; and therefore, appendicitis continues to be the most common acute abdominal condition that requires immediate surgical treatment. Methods: This Prospective Study was undertaken for a period of 6 months on patient diagnosed with appendicitis and admitted to surgery ward at Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Patients were enrolled on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and written inform consent was taken from the patients before the commencement of study.  Results: Proved that laparoscopic procedures cause less post-operative pain than their conventional counterparts. Analgesic requirement for post-operative analgesia was significantly less in LA (mean 4 inj. doses) compared to the OA (mean 6.5 inj. doses). Hospital stay was less for LA (1.55 days) than OA (4.5 days) Full recovery on the basis of return to normal activity was earlier in LA (5.45 days) as compared to OA (9.56 days). Conclusion: LA holds a promising prospect and may replace OA in the near future as the method of choice for effective and qualitative clinical management of appendicitis in emergency and in elective set up.