Letter 2: Moving from open to laparoscopic appendicectomy (Br J Surg 2003; 90: 257–258)

Abstract

Letter 1: Moving from open to laparoscopic appendicectomy (Br J Surg 2003; 90: 257-258) SirThe authors point out that the literature suggests there is a greater incidence of intra-abdominal abscess formation following laparoscopic appendicectomy. The papers do not report clearly whether an adequate wash out and drainage of the abdominal cavity was undertaken during the laparoscopic procedure. In patients with acute appendicitis and local peritonitis, wash out of the peritoneum with saline and drainage of the abdomen should be routine after laparoscopic appendicectomy. We have not observed intra-abdominal abscess formation following laparoscopic appendicectomy, which has been done routinely in our institution for the last 4 years.M. Riegler