LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY - A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is relatively a new technique and requi res comparison to open appendectomy (OA) to determine the more favorab le approach in the surgical management of acute appendicitis. We desig ned this study to compare the course and postoperative complications b etween LA and OA. We reviewed the charts of both groups of patients an d followed their course in the hospital. Seventy-seven patients who un derwent LA with one conversion to the open technique (1.3%) were compa red to 84 patients who underwent OA. There was no difference in age an d sex distribution. The mean hospital stay was shorter in the LA (32.5 +/- 10 vs 74.2 +/- 24 h, p < 0.0001). Parenteral analgesia requiremen t was higher in the OA group (4.7 +/- 1.4 vs 2.6 +/- 2, p < 0.0001). T he total cost was higher in the OA group ($11,260 +/- 4000 vs 7,090 +/ - 3500, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the OR time, duration of the procedure, and surgery costs between both groups. Nor mal appendices removed were similar in both OA and LA groups (23.8 vs 28.9%). There was no difference in the rates of postoperative complica tions between both groups. We conclude that LA is a viable alternative to OA. It is safe, cost effective, and less invasive than the OA with less pain and shorter hospital stay.