Open versus Laparoscopic appendectomy

Background/Aims: To asses the role of laparoscopic appendectomy in the treatment of acute as well as chronic appendicitis On the basis of our own experiences. Methodology: From the set of 849 patients treated with. appendectomy (from January 1993 to December. 2000) 331 were singled out, i;e., those unable to work for some time and thus being on sickness benefit who asked for a medical certificate. They were operated on for either acute or chronic appendicitis. Results: In our,set of 1 331 patients (158 males, 173 females, the average age 29.4) open appendectomy was performed on, 179 patients and laparoscopic appendectomy on 152,. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 43 males.(28%) aid, 109 females (72%); open appendectomy in 1 15 males (64%) and 64 females (36%). Laparoscopic appendectomy took 53.7 +/- 18.1 minutes, open appendectomy took 9 minutes. The time of work disablement is longer in, open,appendectomy (open appendectomy: 41.2 +/- 9.91 days; laparokopic appendectomy: 29.1 +/- 15.11 days). A significant difference (p < 0.00001) can be seen-in the length of hospitalization (laparoscopic appendectomy: 5.0 +/- 2 75 days, open appendectomy: 8.3 +/- 2.83 days). Conclusions: Patients',who undergo laparoscopic appendectomy spent less, time in hospital, and they can return to work rather earlier. On the other hand the time of surgery. is longer. Higher cost is compensated for with shorter hospitalization and early return to work.