Faculty Collaboration Database

Initial experience with laparoscopic appendectomy. Dis Colon Rectum 1993 May;36(5):463-7

Date

05/01/1993

Pubmed ID

8482166

DOI

10.1007/BF02050012

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027311877 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   14 Citations

Abstract

As experience with laparoscopy increases, new applications in general surgery are being identified. Treatment of acute appendicitis through the laparoscope has been proposed. We present our initial experience with this new technique. Over a 12-month period, laparoscopic appendectomy was attempted in 29 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. Two cases required conversion to the open technique owing to gangrene at the appendiceal base. The average operating time was 64 minutes. Two of nine patients with perforated appendicitis developed a pelvic abscess, and one patient developed wound cellulitis. Pain medication requirements were minimal, bowel function returned rapidly, and half of the patients were discharged on postoperative day one or two and returned to normal activity within one week. Based on our initial experience, it appears that laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective technique for managing acute appendicitis and offers advantages in terms of decreased pain, decreased hospital stay, and a rapid return to normal activities.

Author List

Ludwig KA, Cattey RP, Henry LG

Author

Kirk A. Ludwig MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Appendectomy
Appendicitis
Child
Chronic Disease
Female
Humans
Intestinal Perforation
Laparoscopy
Length of Stay
Male
Middle Aged
Pain, Postoperative
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies