Intra-abdominal Abscess After Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Perforated Appendicitis

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Prior to the advent of laparoscopy, appendectomies were performed as an open technique with excellent outcomes.1 While other laparoscopic procedures such as cholecystectomy have shown a benefit over the open technique, the benefit of laparoscopic appendectomy has not been demonstrated as clearly. There have been many prospective randomized controlled trials in the adult population comparing laparoscopic appendectomy with open appendectomy. Two meta-analyses of these trials have found lower wound infection rates, faster recovery, and less postoperative pain with the laparoscopic approach.2-7 Other studies have found no difference in these outcomes.8-10 More recently, the literature has suggested anincreased rate of postoperative intra-abdominal abscesses in perforated appendicitis using the laparoscopic technique.11-13 Because of this finding, it is important to determine whether infectious complications are more frequent in the laparoscopic appendectomy compared with open appendectomy in the treatment of acute, gangrenous, or perforated appendicitis in children.