Objective:
Despite the known benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy, it is still controversial whether it causes a possible increase in development of infective complications such as wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess.
Methods:
Patients who underwent laparoscopic and open appendectomy between November 2010 and May 2011were retrospectively analyzed according to rate of infective complications and length of hospital stay.
Results:
The study group consisted of a total 265 patients. There were 178 male (67%) and 87 female (33%) patients with a mean age of 30.78±12.14 years. Laparoscopic and open appendectomy was completed in 41 (15.5%) and 224 (84.5%) patients, respectively. The rate of conversion was 11%. It was seen that laparoscopic surgery was preferred significantly in female and younger patients (p=0.018). The incidence of intra-abdominal abscess after laparoscopic and open appendectomy amounted to 4.9% and 3.1%, respectively (p=0.633). Wound infection in patients undergoing open appendectomy occurred more frequently than those with laparoscopy (15.6% and 2.4%, respectively; p=0.044). Median length of hospital stay was 2 days for both groups (p=0.507).
Conclusion:
Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy with regard to low rate of wound infection.
Keywords: Appendectomy, wound infection, abdominal abscess