LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY - RESULTS IN 137 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

Between September 1990 and August 1992, laparoscopic appendicectomy was attempted in 137 patients: 98 females and 39 males (sex-ratio : 2.5: 1) with a mean age of 31 years (range: 15-85). The patients were operated on by 9 surgeons. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was possible in 120 patients (87.6 %). In 19 patients the procedure was converted into open surgery. The main causes of unsuccessful laparoscopic procedures were: retrocaecal appendix (n = 5) and injury of appendiceal artery (n = 4). The rate of unsuccessful procedures was 31 % in retrocaecal appendix and 9.4% in the other cases (P < 0.02). In exclusively laparoscopic procedures, the mean operating time was 63 (2.9) minutes. It was 49 (3) minutes for experienced surgeons and 69 (3.3) for other surgeons (P < 0.05). Histological examination of the appendix revealed inflamatory signs in 97 specimens (71 %). There were no wound infections after successful laparoscopic appedicectomy. One female patient developed an abscess in the pouch of Douglas. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range : 1-16). These results suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe technique, with low morbidity allowing short postoperative hospital stay.