The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis: a prospective study.
Despite recent advances in minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic appendicectomy has been questioned as a feasible method of treating patients with suspected appendicitis because open appendicectomy carries few risks and complications. Between February 1992 and January 1993 a non-randomized prospective study comparing open and laparoscopic appendicectomy was designed to assess differences in postoperative morbidity, pain, inpatient hospital stay and a return to normal lifestyle. One hundred and sixty-seven patients with suspected clinical appendicitis were assigned to open (n = 74) or laparoscopic (n = 93) appendicectomy. ⋯ There was a significant reduction in both postoperative inpatient stay (P < 0.0001) and time taken to return to work or normal activities (P < 0.0001) for the laparoscopic group. The use of laparoscopy for patients with suspected appendicitis aids definitive diagnosis and should reduce the negative appendicectomy rate to an acceptable figure. The results suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy is safe and offers advantages over open appendicectomy in the management of patients with suspected appendicitis.