Open Versus Laparoscopic Appendicectomy in a Tertiary Care Center – A Randomized Controlled Study

Introduction: Appendicitis is the most common causeof surgical abdomen in all age groups with a lifetime riskof 6%. The role of laparoscopic appendicectomy remainscontroversial as many researchers have suggested thatoverall morbidity is primarily a function of the degree of theappendicitis rather than the operative approach. The presentstudy was designed to compare the outcome of laparoscopicappendicectomy versus open appendicectomy in a tertiarycare hospital.Material and methods: This was a randomized controlledstudy on 100 cases of acute appendicitis operated inRohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly in a period of one year.The patients were randomly assigned to two groups of 50 eachoperated by open and three port laparoscopic surgery.Results: Abdominal pain (100%) was the commonestpresenting complaint. Retrocaecal anatomical position (76%in open, 70% in lap. appendicectomy) of the appendix wasthe commonest operative finding. Wound infection rate (8%)was insignificantly higher in open appendicectomy. Therewas significantly less operative time, postoperative painbetter cosmesis and early return to normal daily activity inlaparoscopic as compared to open appendicectomy.Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is better ascompared to open appendicectomy in terms of post-operativecomplications, post-operative pain, hospital stay, early returnto normal activity, and subjective cosmesis.