Laparoscopic Appendicectomy for Complicated Appendicitis in Children: A Retrospective Study

Aim: The operation of appendectomy is being performed by both open and laparoscopic methods due to a lack of consensus on the selection of an appropriate method. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two operations for complicated appendicitis in children. Methods: We collected and analysed the records of 1,008 children who were diagnosed complicated appendicitis and subsequently underwent either laparoscopic (LA) (472 cases in LA group) or open appendectomies (OA) (536 cases in OA group) from January 2010 to December 2016. The outcomes including operative time, wound infection, postoperative intra-abdominal abscess and surgical cost in two groups were compared. Results: There was no mortality recorded in all cases and 24 cases need the conversion from laparoscopic appendectomy to open appendectomies. Compared to OA group, laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with lower incidence of wound infection, higher postoperative intra-abdominal abscess formation, shorter hospital stay, but with similar operative time and similar cost of hospital stay. Conclusions: The laparoscopic appendectomy technique is a safe and effective operative procedure for the complicated appendicitis in children.