Appendicitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Appendicitis, including details on symptoms, surgery, causes, treatment.

Day case emergency laparoscopic appendectomy.

Gilliam AD, Anand R, Horgan LF, Attwood SE

North Tyneside Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8NH, UK. andrewgilliam@btinternet.com

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is associated with a shorter hospital stay and fewer complications than conventional open appendectomy (OA). This study aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of day case emergency LA. METHODS: The records of patients undergoing emergency LA under the care of two laparoscopic surgeons over a 3-year period (Februrary 2003 to February 2006) were reviewed to examine hospital length of stay (LOS), complications, histology, grade of the operating surgeon, and time required to perform the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients (median age, 25 years; range, 11-72 years; 58 men) underwent LA, with 9 and 66 patients discharged in 8 and 24 hours, respectively (median LOS 22 hours: range 6-170 hours). One patient underwent conversion to OA. Histologically, 86 patients had appendicitis and 18 had normal appendices with another pathology present. The median operative time was 35 min (range, 20-80 min). The complications included three wound infections and two pelvic abscesses not requiring further operative intervention. CONCLUSION: Day case emergency LA is safe and effective for treating selected patients.

Published 8 February 2008 in Surg Endosc, 22(2): 483-6.
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