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PubMed1999

Appendectomy, tonsillectomy, and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: case-controlled study in Crete.

PURPOSE: Appendectomy has been suggested as a possible protective factor in ulcerative colitis and as a risk factor in Crohn's disease. Tonsillectomy has also been associated with Crohn's disease. We performed a case-controlled study to investigate these associations in a homogeneous Greek population. METHODS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive cases of ulcerative colitis and 76 cases of Crohn's disease were included in the study. For each inflammatory bowel disease patient and a corresponding healthy control subject, matched for gender, age, and educational level, a standard record on various risk factors was completed by interview. The association between disease status and risk factors was assessed by Pearson's chi-squared test and the independent contribution of each risk factor was analyzed by means of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Appendectomy had been performed in 11 (8.2 percent) patients with ulcerative colitis, in 18 (13.4 percent) of their matched healthy control cases, in 19 (25.0 percent) patients with Crohn's disease, and in 10 (13.2 percent) of their matched healthy control cases. Odds ratio for development of ulcerative colitis after appendectomy was 0.6 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.26-1.27). Odds ratio for Crohn's disease was 2.2 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.94-5.12). Odds ratio for development of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease after tonsillectomy was 0.95 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.49-1.82) and 3.29 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.29-8.37), respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that appendectomy and tonsillectomy have no independent association with the risk of developing ulcerative colitis, whereas in Crohn's disease both appendectomy and tonsillectomy have positive associations. Well-established risk factors, such as family history and smoking status, were also verified in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This case-control study, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, showed a less pronounced association between ulcerative colitis and appendectomy than previous reports. Our data also support the conclusion that tonsillectomy is a risk factor for developing Crohn's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The suprapubic approach for laparoscopic appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Because it produces superior cosmetic results, patients prefer laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy. We developed two alternative laparoscopic routes of access to the abdominal cavity for appendectomy that use suprapubic incisions placed below the line of pubic hair. We then compared the results for these three different modes of access. METHODS: Operative characteristics, morbidity, outcome, and patient preference regarding three different approaches to laparoscopic appendectomy were compared in a retrospective study. In addition, a group of 24 healthy women were surveyed by questionnaire about their preferred technique and expected cosmetic results. RESULTS: Between January 1997 and August 2000, 149 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and were assigned to undergo one of the three techniques. Operative results, morbidity, and hospital stay were similar. Twenty-five percent of patients submitted to technique 1 (no suprapubic trocars) were satisfied with their method, vs 54% of patients with technique 2 (one suprapubic port, angled working trocars) and 100% of patients with technique 3 (two suprapubic parallel trocars). Almost all patients (92% of those who had technique 1 and 100% of those who had techniques 2 and 3) chose the standard laparoscopic access as the cosmetically least attractive method. All of the healthy controls we interviewed preferred technique 3. CONCLUSION: The placement of suprapubic trocars improves the surgeon's working position during laparoscopic appendectomy. A laparoscopic approach using two suprapubic trocars yields the best cosmetic results in the opinion of the majority of patients and healthy interviewees.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Laparoscopic appendectomy-is it worthwhile? A prospective, randomized study in young women.

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is most difficult in fertile-age women. In this patient group up to 50% of open appendectomies are negative for appendicitis. We conducted a randomized study to compare laparoscopic and open appendectomy in young female patients with suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: Fifty female patients between the ages of 16 and 40 years presenting with acute right lower abdominal pain were randomized, 25 to laparoscopy and 25 to an open appendectomy. Diagnostic accuracy, rate of negative appendectomies, safety, and final outcome were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: Diagnosis was established in 96% of patients in the laparoscopic group and in 72% in the open group. There were 11 (44%) unnecessary appendectomies in the open group, but only one (4%) in the laparoscopic group (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: In young women with right lower abdominal pain, laparoscopy can give precise diagnosis and reduce the rate of negative appendectomies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Appendectomy protects against ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Defining risk factors for ulcerative colitis (UC) is important to better understand the pathogenesis of this idiopathic disease. One factor modulating the disease is smoking. A pilot study showed the absence of appendectomy in the medical history of patients with ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present case control study was to compare the relative risk of developing UC after appendectomy with the relative risk of developing UC with an intact appendix. METHODS: One hundred seventy-four (84 females and 90 males, mean age 34.9 years) consecutive UC patients examined at our inflammatory bowel disease clinic or hospital ward, were included. Fifty-six had pancolitis (32%) and 118 (68%) suffered from left-sided colitis. The control group consisted of 161 consecutive patients examined at the orthopedic clinic (86 females and 75 males, mean age 40.9 years). RESULTS: Two parameters, absence of appendectomy and smoking, were closely related to the development of UC. Before the onset of UC, only 1 of the 174 patients (0.6%) had undergone an appendectomy. Of the 161 controls, 41 (25.4%) had undergone an appendectomy. The difference between the two groups was highly significant with an odds ratio of 59.1 (95% CI, 18-189; P < 0.001). The relative risk of getting the disease associated with nonsmoking was 2.95 (95% CI, 1.69-5.17). CONCLUSIONS: Appendectomy is a protective factor against UC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Appendectomy in the surgical staging of ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Extensive debulking is accepted as the primary method of operative management for carcinoma of the ovary. However, there is no consensus regarding the role of appendectomy in primary surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role of appendectomy in the surgical staging and cytoreduction of ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of 90 primary malignant ovarian carcinoma patients who had an appendectomy in addition to primary cytoreductive surgery. RESULTS: Out of 90 patients, 10 (11.1%) had metastasis to the appendix. The rate of metastasis to the appendix was 11.5% (9/78) in malignant epithelial ovarian carcinomas and 8.3% (1/12) in non-epithelial ovarian tumors. Of the patients with metastasis in the appendix, malignant epithelial ovarian tumors were identified in 90% (serous: 70%; clear cell: 20%), and non-epithelial malignant ovarian tumor were disclosed in 10% (granulosa cell carcinoma). There were no metastases to the appendix in the other histological types. Although metastasis to the appendix was not observed in early stage ovarian carcinomas, it was detected in 21.4% (9/42) of stage III and 50% (1/2) of stage IV. Macroscopic tumor metastasis in the abdomen was noted in all patients with metastasis to the appendix. CONCLUSION: Appendectomy for stage I and II patients was not beneficial and did not affect final staging. As a result, for the proper staging of ovarian carcinoma there is no advantage to the addition of routine appendectomy to primary cytoreductive surgery in early stage (stage I and II) malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. Appendectomy would contribute to the cytoreduction of advanced stage disease if it is macroscopically involved.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed1995

Pediatric appendectomy.

PURPOSE: To define patterns of care and outcome for pediatric appendectomy. METHODS: A study was designed to evaluate all pediatric appendectomies performed in the 147 Department of Defense hospitals worldwide. Cases of nonincidental appendectomy were identified through discharge diagnoses and operative logs, and 98.6% of the charts were retrieved for review. All charts were abstracted, and data were entered into a 127-field database for analysis. RESULTS: Over a 12-month period, ending January 1993, appendectomy was performed on 1,366 pediatric patients in the Department of Defense hospital system. The patients' median age was 12 years (range, 6 months to 18 years); 59% were male. The diagnosis was normal appendix for 157 patients (12%), acute nonperforated appendicitis for 930 (68%), and perforated appendicitis for 279 (20%). Age < or = 8 years was predictive (P < .001) of a higher rate of perforated appendicitis (33% v 18%) but was not predictive of normal pathology (13% v 11%). Female gender was associated with a significantly higher rate of normal pathology (17% v 8%; P < .001) but not of perforation (18% v 22%). Temperature elevation and right lower quadrant pain and tenderness did not clinically distinguish between diagnostic groups. Sixty-two percent of patients with a normal appendix had a white blood cell count of more than 10,000/mm3, as did 91% of patients with acute or perforated appendicitis. Those with perforated appendicitis received pre- and postoperative antibiotics, primarily ampicillin/gentamicin/clindamycin or Flagyl (41%), cefoxitin (34%), or Unasyn (15%). In 77% of this subgroup, intraoperative cultures were positive, with isolates for Escherichia coli (76%) Enterococcus (30%), Bacteroides (24%), and Pseudomonas (20%) predominating. There were no deaths. Major complications occurred in 1.2% of patients with acute appendicitis and in 6.4% of those with perforated appendicitis; there were no major complications in the group with normal appendectomies. The hospitalization period was more than 7 days for 1.6%, 40%, and 3.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This large series, from a large number of hospitals, with multiple practitioners, can serve as a community standard for pediatric appendectomy in the 1990s.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed2006

Role of appendectomy at the time of primary surgery in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether appendectomy is warranted in patients with apparent early-stage ovarian cancer who undergo surgery for staging and cytoreduction and to determine the complication rate associated with appendectomy in such patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent appendectomy at the time of primary surgery for ovarian cancer at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1992 and December 2004 and who did not meet any of the following exclusion criteria: stage III or IV ovarian cancer, appendectomy as part of a second-look procedure or secondary tumor-reductive surgery, primary appendiceal cancer, primary gastrointestinal malignancy with metastasis to the appendix, incomplete clinicopathologic data, appendicitis as a preoperative diagnosis, primary fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or documented dual primary tumors. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included in this analysis. The median age was 47 years (range, 13-75). Median follow-up was 53 months (range, 3-147). Histologic diagnoses were as follows: invasive epithelial carcinoma, 35 patients (61%); tumor of low malignant potential, 15 patients (26%); malignant germ cell tumor, 4 patients (7%); and other, 3 patients (5%). Twenty-three patients (40%) had pure mucinous tumors. Forty-six patients (81%) had stage I and 11 patients (19%) had stage II disease. The median CA-125 level was 36.2 U/mL (range, 7-7900). No patient had evidence of appendiceal involvement. No patient suffered an intraoperative or postoperative complication directly related to appendectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Appendectomy at the time of surgery for apparent early-stage ovarian cancer is not associated with complications but should not be routinely recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

High negative appendectomy rates are no longer acceptable.

BACKGROUND: A 10% to 20% negative appendectomy rate has been accepted in order to minimize the incidence of perforated appendicitis with its increased morbidity. We reviewed our experience with appendicitis in order to determine the incidence of negative appendectomies and perforation, and the role of delay in diagnosis or treatment. METHODS: We reviewed 659 appendectomies performed over a 12-month period. Incidental and pediatric appendectomies were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of patients were male and 25% female. Nine percent had negative appendectomies and 28% had perforated appendicitis. Perforated appendicitis resulted in increased morbidity and length of stay. Delay in presentation greater than 12 hours after the onset of symptoms significantly increased the perforation rate. In-hospital delay did not affect perforation rate. CONCLUSIONS: We have achieved a negative appendectomy rate lower than that in other reported series, while maintaining an acceptable perforation rate. In the majority of patients, perforated appendicitis is a result of late presentation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Incidental appendectomy during radical cystectomy--is it necessary?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rationale behind incidental appendectomy during radical cystectomy. Incidental appendectomy during radical cystectomy is done to avoid the morbidity due to the future development of appendicitis and an additional operation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 105 patients who underwent radical cystectomy during an 8-year period (1986 to 1993). Appendectomy was incorporated in the initial 40 radical cystectomies and was avoided in the next 65 radical cystectomies. RESULTS: We had a median follow-up of greater than 10 years in patients who underwent appendectomy along with radical cystectomy and of more than 7 years in patients in whom appendectomy was avoided. None of the patients from either group had any complication related to the appendicular pathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study suggest that no advantage exists in persisting with incidental appendectomy during radical cystectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Current status of laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Appendectomy is the most common surgical emergency in children. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), first performed by Semm in 1983, has increased in popularity for both uncomplicated and ruptured appendicitis. The authors perform early laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis, but use aggressive antibiotic therapy for obvious ruptured appendicitis. Patients presenting with accessible abscesses have drainage using image guidance. Antibiotic therapy is continued at home until the fever has resolved and the white blood cell and differential counts have normalized. An interval appendectomy is performed 2 to 3 months later. Children with ruptured appendicitis for whom aggressive medical management had failed usually had a persistent pattern of small bowel obstruction noted 72 hours after initiation of treatment. The authors' preferred technique for laparoscopic appendectomy employs linear stapling of the mesoappendix and appendix. LA patients had a shorter hospital stay and a lower wound infection rate. The operating times for open and laparoscopic appendectomy were similar.

Appendectomy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interval appendectomy in the laparoscopic era.

In the acute setting, patients with periappendiceal masses generally improve with broad-spectrum antibiotics with or without percutaneous catheter drainage, but whether or not to perform an interval appendectomy remains controversial. We have analyzed our experience over the past decade, comparing results from interval laparoscopic appendectomy (ILA) and interval open appendectomy (IOA). Medical records were reviewed for 56 patients who initially presented with the diagnosis of periappendiceal mass or abscess and who subsequently underwent interval appendectomy. Data were accumulated for both the initial hospitalization and interval appendectomy. Comparisons were made between period 1 (1987 to 1993) and period 2 (1994 to 1997). Follow-up data were obtained via telephone conversations with the patients. Patient characteristics with regard to age, sex, and comorbidities did not differ between the ILA and IOA groups. The number of patients undergoing CAT scan increased from 33% to 55%, whereas the initial hospital stay decreased from 7. 42 to 4.61 days (P<0.001). The percentage of interval appendectomies performed by the laparoscopic method increased from 30% to 85%. The total operating room time did not differ (95 vs. 103 minutes), but the hospital stay was much shorter in the ILA group (0.55 vs. 3.07 days, P<0.001). There were no instances of intra-abdominal or wound infections in either group. In the later time period the mean hospital stay decreased to 0.38 days, with 59% of the operations performed on an outpatient basis. Following ILA, narcotic pain medication was used for an average of 1.3 days and the reported "time to return to full activities" was 2.5 days. ILA is a simple and safe procedure that can usually be performed on an outpatient basis. Given the minimal morbidity of the procedure, we believe that ILA should be considered for most patients who initially present with periappendiceal masses.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed2000

A patient with improvement of ulcerative colitis after appendectomy.

Recently, several retrospective studies have shown an inverse association between appendectomy and development of ulcerative colitis. We describe a 21-year-old man with distal ulcerative colitis and appendiceal involvement. The patient passed bloody stools continually during the 3 years before admission. Macroscopic and microscopic findings showed chronic moderate inflammation of the appendix and rectum. The ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes isolated from rectal and appendiceal mucosa was increased (4.3 and 3.8, respectively) compared with controls (n = 11; 1.0 in the rectum and 1.4 in the appendix). Clinical symptoms and colonoscopic and microscopic findings improved significantly after appendectomy. In addition, the amount of interferon gamma secreted from rectal lymphocytes was reduced to 89 pg/mL after surgery (before appendectomy, 254 pg/mL). However, interleukin 4 production was below detectable levels both before and after appendectomy. These findings suggest that appendectomy resulted in altered T-helper (Th)1/Th2 balance in this patient. In the 3 years since surgery, the patient has been in good condition without recurrence of symptoms. This is the first report demonstrating therapeutic benefit of appendectomy in a patient with ulcerative colitis and potential mechanistic relationship.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscope-assisted appendectomy in children: the two-trocar technique.

UNLABELLED: The conventional cannulae position in laparoscopic appendectomy does not permit good visualization of the appendix, especially if it is in a retrocaecal or pelvic position. In children, the smaller dimension of the peritoneal cavity aggravates this problem. METHOD: In order to optimize appendix visualization, we propose a modification of the cannulae position associated with extraabdominal appendectomy. Two trocars are inserted, one in the umbilicus under direct vision and one in the midline above the pubic symphysis. The telescope is inserted in the second cannula. The appendix is delivered via the umbilical trocar incision and a conventional appendectomy is performed. RESULTS: During a one-year period, 38 appendectomies were performed. In 29 cases (76.3 %) the technique was successful. In 9 patients (4 with peritonitis, 4 with a retrocaecal and one with a pelvic appendix) a third trocar was necessary to complete the operation. We had two conversions (5.2 %), one to open surgery and one to intraabdominal laparoscopic appendectomy. Mean operation time was 19 min. There were two infectious complications (one parietal and one intraabdominal). CONCLUSIONS: The excellent visualization permitted considerable time gain. Infectious complications were also low. This method is suggested as an alternative procedure for appendectomy, especially in children, because of their favorable anatomy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Appendectomy and protection against ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: A history of appendectomy is rare in patients with ulcerative colitis. This suggests a protective effect of appendectomy or that appendicitis and ulcerative colitis are alternative inflammatory responses. We sought to characterize this inverse relation further. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 212,963 patients who underwent appendectomy before the age of 50 years between 1964 and 1993 and a cohort of matched controls who were identified from the Swedish Inpatient Register and the nationwide census. The cohort was followed until 1995 for any subsequent diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. RESULTS: Patients who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis had a low risk of ulcerative colitis (for patients with perforated appendicitis, the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.58 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.87]; for those with nonperforated appendicitis it was 0.76 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.90]; and for those with mesenteric lymphadenitis it was 0.57 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.89]). In contrast, patients who underwent appendectomy for nonspecific abdominal pain had the same risk of ulcerative colitis as the controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.06; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.74 to 1.52). For the patients who had appendicitis, an inverse relation with the risk of ulcerative colitis was found only for those who underwent surgery before the age of 20 years (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Appendectomy for an inflammatory condition (appendicitis or lymphadenitis) but not for nonspecific abdominal pain is associated with a low risk of subsequent ulcerative colitis. This inverse relation is limited to patients who undergo surgery before the age of 20 years.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2006

Lack of association between appendectomy and primary biliary cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: In view of the possible implication of various environmental factors in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), the role of appendectomy in patients with PBC and other chronic liver diseases from Central Greece was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical files of 68 patients with PBC and gender- and age-matched controls with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (n=65) and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n=67) were reviewed for the history and time of appendectomy. RESULTS: Nineteen of 68 (27.9%) PBC patients, 32 of 65 (49.2%) patients with chronic HCV infection and 22 of 67 (32.8%) patients with chronic HBV infection had a history of appendectomy. There was a significant higher frequency of appendectomy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (p = 0.012, chi(2) test) compared to patients with PBC. There were no significant differences in the clinical and histological characteristics of PBC patients with or without a history of appendectomy. CONCLUSION: In this case-control study we were unable to provide evidence of an association between primary biliary cirrhosis and the occurrence of appendectomy.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Appendicitis: selective use of abdominal CT reduces negative appendectomy rate.

BACKGROUND: Recent literature supports the use of CT for all patients with right lower quadrant pain to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce hospital cost. Our current practice at a large teaching hospital is to use CT only for patients whose diagnosis remains in question after a thorough history, physical examination, and focused laboratory assessment. In consideration of a more liberal use of CT for right lower quadrant pain, we reviewed our experience with selective CT and the effect this has had on our practice, paying particular attention to perforation rate and negative appendectomy rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent appendectomy in 1995 and 1998. These two patient populations were evaluated for patient demographics, use of CT scan, perforation rate, and incidence of negative appendectomy. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-four patients underwent appendectomy in 1995 versus 372 in 1998. Gender (64% male in 1995 vs. 60% in 1998), age (mean 24.9 vs. 25.5) and perforation rate (31% in 1995 vs. 29% in 1998) did not change. The use of CT increased in 1998 (12% vs. 34%, p < 0.001) and overall nontherapeutic appendectomy decreased (14% vs. 7%, p < 0.005). This decrease was seen in patients who were operated without CT (13% vs. 7%, p < 0.03) and after CT (19% vs. 6%, p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Selective use of CT scan in patients presenting with right lower quadrant pain is helpful in reducing the incidence of nontherapeutic appendectomy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic appendectomy using the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy is increasingly being employed to treat acute appendicitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) in laparoscopic appendectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed using the LigaSure system in 15 patients who had a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. RESULTS: In two patients, the operation was converted to open appendectomy. The mean operative time was 47 minutes (range, 22-120 minutes). There was no evidence of any complications related to the use of the LigaSure system. Neither surgical endoclips nor an endostapler were used in any patient. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy using the LigaSure system is a safe and efficient procedure for acute appendicitis. Use of the LigaSure system in laparoscopic appendectomy may simplify the operative procedure and reduce the operative time.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Is mini-laparoscopic appendectomy feasible for children.

Mini-laparoscopic appendectomy (mini-LA) can be performed safely and efficiently. It is the first treatment choice for patients with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis in our hospital. To evaluate the feasibility of mini-LA for simple and ruptured appendicitis in children, we retrospectively compared the outcomes between mini-LA and open appendectomy for appendicitis in children. From October 1998 to August 2000, the medical records of 585 patients with appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. Children were defined as patients younger than 15 years of age. The percentage of mini-LA, operation time, time to first flatus passage, duration of hospital stay, and demand for intra-muscular pethidine injection were compared between the mini-LA and open appendectomy. The complications among simple and ruptured appendicitis and the cost of mini-LA and open appendectomy were also analyzed. The operation was performed with one infra-umbilical 10-mm incision, and pneumoperitoneum was established at 12 to 15 mm Hg. A 2-mm laparoscope was inserted via the supra-pubic port, and another 2-mm working port was set-up between the other two ports. Statistical testing using the Whitney-Mann U test and Fisher exact test was performed as appropriate. Of the 585 patients, there were 100 children. The youngest patient was 4 years of age and only 7 patients were younger than 5 years. Among children, 18% had a perforated appendix. Mini-LA accounted for 83% of appendectomies in the pediatric group, but it increased yearly (from 41.7% in 1998 to 92.5% in 2000). The operation time of mini-LA and open appendectomy were 57.32 minutes and 49.12 minutes. There was significant improvement in mini-LA from 1998 to 1999. Flatus passage, hospital stay, and pethidine use all favored the mini-LA. For pediatric appendicitis involving a ruptured appendix, postoperative ileus and length of hospital stay were significantly shortened in the mini-LA group. The postoperative complication was not significantly different between mini-LA and open appendicitis. Mini-LA can be safely performed in pediatric patients and it provides early postoperative recovery and short hospital stay. Even for a ruptured appendix, the mini-LA can be the treatment of choice in a well-equipped hospital with well-trained surgeons.

Acute Disease↗