Is the laparoscopic approach superior to open approach for treatment of acute appendicitis? A hospital based experience
Background: Laparoscopic appendicetomy remains controversial in Indian perspective. The objective was to compare the clinical outcome of open with laparoscopic appendicectomy.Methods: Prospectively collected data from 150 consecutive patients with acute appendicitis was studied. Patients undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis were alternately assigned into one of the two groups (Group-A patients underwent open appendicectomy and in Group B laparoscopic appendicectomy). The two groups were compared with respect to operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain & wound complications.Results: The mean operative time in the open group was 84.40 minutes; for laparoscopic group, 95.20 minutes (p-0.001). Duration of paralytic ileus, tolerance to oral feeds, resumption of daily routine activity and ambulation of patients were started earlier in laparoscopic group than open group. Group A (OA) patients had pain at the mean of 2.66 days as compared group B (LA), in which patients had pain at the mean of 1.66 days. Study also showed that the hospital stay for laparoscopic group was almost half of that for open group. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was safe as compared to open surgery in context to post-operative complications.Conclusions: Provided surgical experience and equipment are available, Laparoscopic appendicectomy is as safe and efficient than open appendicectomy.