EP.FRI.90 Should laparoscopy be performed before or after appendicectomy in females of reproductive age with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis?
Abstract Introduction Females of reproductive age with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis may undergo laparoscopy prior to appendicectomy. This paper advocates laparoscopy after appendicectomy only if the appendix is macroscopically normal in this patient group. Method A cohort of patients under the care of a single general surgeon is reported. If the appendix was macroscopically normal a laparoscopic port was inserted through the right iliac fossa incision. This single port was used for laparoscopic assessment of the pelvic organs. Results Fourteen females of reproductive age underwent laparoscopy following a macroscopically normal open appendicectomy. No additional laparoscopic ports were required. A benign dermoid ovarian cyst was identified in a 14 year-old which was electively excised following further investigation by a gynaecologist. Two ruptured simple ovarian cysts were also identified. There were no complications reported in this patient group. Conclusions Laparoscopy following a macroscopically normal open appendicectomy allows assessment of the pelvic organs in females of reproductive age and reduces the number of ports required during surgery.