Complications After Open and Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Perforated Appendicitis of Children

Purpose: The incidence of postoperative complications is far from clear after laparoscopic and open appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. This study was aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative complications for each procedure. Patients and Method: From October 2005 to March 2008, 92 patients (54 male, 38 female) with ages ranging between 2-15 years were operated on for perforated appendicitis at our institution. Open appendectomy, through a right lower quadrant (58 patients) or midline incision (12 patients) and laparoscopic appendectomy (22 patients) was performed through a 3-trocar approach. The incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, wound infections, adhesions and incisional hernia were compared in two groups. Results: The incidence of postoperative abscess, wound infections, postoperative adhesions and incisional hernia were 5.7%, 10%, 8.5% and 4.2% in open appendectomy group, and 0%, 4.5%, 0% and %0 in laparoscopic appendectomy group, respectively. The incidences of complications were not significantly different when compared between two groups. Conclusion: There are no differences between incidences of complications after laparoscopic appendectomy when compared with open appendectomy in pediatric patients with perforated appendicitis.