Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in females with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis

OBJECTIVE: Appendectomy can be performed using either a laparoscopic technique (LT) or an open technique (OT). We compared the following items operative, anesthesia, length of stay, post-operative pain, medicine, wound healing, days to return to normal activity in both groups.

METHODS: This study was carried out at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Al-Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 1999 to April 2000. We randomly assigned 60 female patients to appendectomy by LT or OT. The 2 groups were compared concerning demographic data. The differences were considered statistically significant at a P value < 0.05.

RESULTS: The open group had shorter anesthesia and operative time (68, 50 versus 85, 65 minutes). The laparoscopic group had a significant reduced postoperative narcotic requirement (P<0.05), quicker reintroduction of diet and quicker return to normal activity.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy in female patients with clinical diagnosis of appendicitis is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and the management of acute appendicitis.