A comparative study of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy

ABSTRACT

Background: Obstruction of appendiceal lumen resulting in acute appendicitis is diagnosed by clinical examination, supported by raised neutrophil count, computed tomography and/or ultrasonography.Appendectomy one of the most commonly done surgeries is the standard line of management for acute appendicitis. Trend is towards greater utilization of laparoscopic appendectomy despite lack of consensus on superiority of laparoscopic procedure, hence imperative to prove scientifically the effectiveness of the two methods. The aim of the present study was a comparative study of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy.Methods: A prospective cohort study of 100 cases of acute appendicitis above 16 years of age with no co morbidities was carried out in Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre from July 2017 to September 2019.Results: Mean age was 28.82 years, 64 (64%) males and 36 (36%) females, pain in abdomen (100%) being most common complaint followed by fever (77%) with positive correlation with severity of appendicitis (Alvarado score) and with total leukocyte count. Mean duration of surgery and hospital stay in laparoscopic appendectomy was lesser than open and difference was statistically highly significant (p=0.000). No difference in pain score observed. Retrocaecal (58%) was the most common position, slightly higher rate of complications in open appendectomy, no conversion of laparoscopic to open. Subjective level of satisfaction score (0-10) in laparoscopic appendectomy was higher than in open and difference was statistically highly significant (p=0.000).Conclusions: Laparoscopic appendectomy had advantages like better cosmesis, shorter duration of procedure and hospital stay, fewer post-operative complications and early return to work with disadvantage of steep learning curve, while open appendectomy, does not require special instruments, and is performed under direct three-dimensional vision.