Defining treatment strategy for uncomplicated appendicitis based on patient satisfaction feedback: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Two surgical strategies are available for appendicitis: emergency laparoscopic appendectomy and interval laparoscopic appendectomy. However, timing of surgical intervention remains debatable. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of emergency laparoscopic appendectomy (ELA) and interval laparoscopic appendectomy (ILA) and conduct a questionnaire survey to investigate the use of ELA and patient satisfaction with regard to treatment. Methods We included 162 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at our hospital. Outcomes were assessed by operation time, blood loss, postoperative fasting time, length of hospital stay, and complication rate. Patient satisfaction was measured by questionnaire addressing degree of satisfaction, pre-surgery anxiety, and length of hospital stay. Continuous variables were compared by Student’s t-test, and discrete variables, expressed as percentages, were analyzed via chi-squared test. Results Of 162 patients, 74 (46%) and 88 (54%) received emergency and ILA, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, or complication rate. Among 66 patients who responded to the questionnaire (28 emergency, 38 interval), a significant difference was observed only in the degree of satisfaction regarding the timing of the surgical intervention (p = 0.04). Conclusions Surgical outcomes of emergency and interval appendectomy were equivalent; however, patient satisfaction favored emergency appendectomy, suggesting it is a preferable approach for the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. Trial registration: NA