Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy in Children: Outcomes Comparison Based on a Statewide Analysis

Background. To compare the differences in hospital utilization and complications between laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) for pediatric appendicitis. Methods. A retrospective study from 1999 to 2006 of children aged 1 to 18 y with appendicitis, from the California Patient Discharge Database was performed. Children with significant comorbidities were excluded. Initial hospital course, subsequent readmissions, and the need for additional procedures were analyzed. Results. The use of LA increased steadily from 19% in 1999 to 52% in 2006. Overall, 95,806 children were studied. Readmissions were tracked over a median period of 3 y. LA was associated with increased need for postoperative intra-abdominal abscess drainage for both perforated appendicitis (4.9% versus 3.8%, P < 0.001) and nonperforated appendicitis (0.6% versus 0.3%, P < 0.001) compared with OA. Multivariate regression showed an increased risk of postoperative abscess drainage for children after LA compared with OA (RR 1.81, 99% CI 1.41-2.27). However, the lengths of readmission hospitalizations were the same between the two groups (5.8 versus 5.7 d, P = NS). Conclusion. LA has become the preferred operation for pediatric appendicitis. The need for postoperative abscess drainage is small, and laparoscopy appears to increase this risk slightly. However, LA did not affect long-term hospital utilizations. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.