Efficacy and complications of laparoscopic appendectomy for pediatric appendicitis

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy in the management of appendicitis in child patients. Methods: Complete clinical data from 112 children with appendicitis were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The time for data collection was from December 2015 to December 2016. The children were divided into the open appendectomy group (children undergoing conventional open appendectomy, n=55) and the laparoscopic appendectomy group (children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy, n=57) in terms of the surgical methods. Surgical procedures, postoperative recovery and laboratory parameters, as well as complications were compared between the two study groups. Results: The differences in course of disease, levels of neutrophils and subtypes of appendicitis were insignificant between the two groups. As compared to children with open appendectomy, children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy had shorter operation time, less blood loss and shorter hospitalization time (P < 0.05). Postoperative exhaust time and feeding time for the children in the laparoscopic appendectomy group were significantly shorter than those in the open appendectomy group (P < 0.05). The children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy had lower body temperature and lower levels of postoperative neutrophils as compared with those with open appendectomy (P < 0.05). The rate of complications was also lower in children with laparoscopic appendectomy than in those with open appendectomy (3.51% vs. 12.73%; P < 0.05). Conclusion: As an alternative for treatment of pediatric appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy is effective, safe and minimally invasive, with better postoperative recovery, improved laboratory parameters and reduced complications.