Laparoscopic appendectomy associated with better outcomes in children

January 01, 0001

Laparoscopic appendectomy associated with better outcomes in children

These US authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of children of all ages undergoing appendectomy using discharge abstract data. They hypothesized that laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) would be similar to open appendectomy (OA). Design  Retrospective cohort study using discharge abstract data. They included 7650 patients (LA = 3551, OA = 4099).

They found: "Use of laparoscopy increased from 22% in 1998 to 70% in 2007. Overall, patients undergoing LA were older (mean age, 12.8 vs 10.4 years) and had a lower perforation rate (24% vs 34). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated a decreased odds ratio for wound infection (odds ratio, 0.6) and abscess drainage (odds ratio, 0.67) following LA compared with OA. Multivariable linear regression also showed decreased length of hospitalization following LA compared with OA."

The authors concluded: "Now the preferred operation for children with appendicitis, LA was associated with a decreased risk of wound infection, abscess drainage, and length of hospitalization compared with OA."

We can expect increased use of laparoscopic appendectomy in children.


For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Surg 146(10):1118-1121, October 2011 © 2011 to the American Medical Association
Laparoscopic vs Open Appendectomy in Children-Outcomes Comparison Based on Age, Sex, and Perforation Status. Steven L. Lee, Arezou Yaghoubian, Amy Kaji. Correspondence to Dr. Lee: slleemd@yahoo.com

Category: D. Digestive. Keywords: appendectomy, laparoscopic, children, retrospective cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 11 November 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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