A randomized prospective comparative study of laparoscopic appendicectomy versus open appendicectomy

Abstract

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent cause of persisting progressive abdominal pain in all ages. However, there is no way to prevent the development of appendicitis, the only way to reduce the morbidity and to prevent the development of appendicitis, is to perform appendicectomy before perforation or gangrene has occurred. In this study, we have done a randomized, prospective comparative study of laparoscopic appendicectomy versus open appendicectomy in the Department of Surgery, Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital and Research Institute, Sri Amritsar from August 2014 to December 2016 a period of two years and four months.Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was carried out in the department of General Surgery. The total population group included 144 patients with a mean age of 39 years (Age group between 18-60 years). Patients between 18 years and 60 years of age were candidates for randomization. The study was carried out as an open randomized single centre study.Results: In the present study patients were not blinded to the surgical technique employed but were equally informed to resume normal activity and work as soon as possible at their discretion. The results show that time to return to heavy work was significantly reduced by the laparoscopic approach. Less pain in the post-operative period was the major contributing factor. In the present study, laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with improved cosmesis when compared with open appendicectomy (P <0.01).Conclusions: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe procedure with lower morbidity it is also an excellent training tool in laparoscopic technique and with sufficient experience takes no longer than open appendicectomy.