Should appendectomy be performed laparoscopically? Clinical prospective randomized trial

• Published in: Turkish journal of surgery 2015, Vol.31 (4), p.224-228
• Main Authors: Mantoğlu, Barış, Karip, Bora, Mestan, Metin, İşcan, Yalın, Ağca, Birol, Altun, Hasan, Memişoğlu, Kemal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Appendicitis; Appendix; Laparoscopy; Original Investigation; Polylactic acid; Surgery
• ISSN: 1300-0705; 2564-6850; 1308-8521; 2564-7032
• DOI: 10.5152/UCD.2015.2843

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been described in 1983, and its superiority over open appendectomy (OA) is still being debated. Currently, there is no agreement on the advantages of LA. Postoperative pain is reported to be lower along with a faster return to normal activities in LA. However, some studies do not support these findings. In our study, we aimed to compare the outcomes and cost effectiveness of LA and OA. Patients were prospectively randomized into LA (31 patients) and OA (32 patients) groups. Demographic data, pre- and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, white blood cell (WBC) count, duration of surgery and hospitalization, complications, and pain scores (VAS) were recorded. Cost was calculated for both groups. Return to normal activities was evaluated by phone calls at the first and second week and 1 month after surgery. There was a significant postoperative decrease in WBC count in the LA group (p0.05). The rates of wound infection and abscess were similar (p>0.05), while post-operative pain and time to return to normal activities were higher in the OA group (p