Laparoscopic versus Open Appendectomy Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies requiring an appendectomy, with a life-time risk of 6%. The overall mortality rate for open appendectomy (OA) is around 0.3% and morbidity is about 11%. Objective: To compare laparoscopic vs open appendectomy with regard to postoperative pain and nausea, operative results, perioperative and postoperative complications, hospital admission. Methods: This prospective comparative study is performed in the Department of Surgery, North West Aramed Forced Hospital, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All patients between 13 and 60 years of age admitted through the accident and emergency (A&E) department with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and those who completed follow-up are included in the study. All those patients in whom a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was not established or have a palpable mass in the right lower quadrant, suggesting an appendiceal abscess and those who does not give consent are excluded from the study. We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent a laparoscopic and open appendectomy in King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia from 1/1/2012 to 31/12/2015. Result: A total of 502 patients underwent Appendectomy at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital from 1/1/2012 till 31/12/2015. Of these, 203 were male (40.4%) and 299 were female (59.6%). The mean age was 18 years. Alvarado Score more than 7 in 93% of patients diagnosed with appendicitis. Comorbidities included diabetes 21 (5.56%) and hypertension 7 (1.39%). The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 20 kg/m2. 328 patients (65.3%) underwent Open Appendectomy (OA). None of Laproscopic appendectomy(LA) had a conversion. The mean operative time was 76 minutes (44 minutes and 50 minutes for OA and LA, respectively). Mean hospital stay in OA 2 days and one day LA. Eight cases (1.6%) developed seroma (6 cases in OA and 2 cases in LA with rates of 1.2% and 0.4% respectively). Nine patients (1.6%) had wound infection, 8 in OA and one in LA with rate of 1.5% and 0.2% respectively). Four patients (0.8%) develop the hematoma (3 cases in OA and one case in LA with rates of 0.6% and 0.2% respectively). Seven cases of reported appendectomy develop the pelvic abscess (1.4%) (5 cases in OA and 2 cases in LA with rates of 1% and 0.4% respectively). Conclusion: Alvarado Score carries high significance in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy has improved diagnostic accuracy along with advantages in terms of fewer seroma, hematoma, wound infections, faster recovery, and earlier retention to normal activity but longer operative time.