M. H. Siddiqui1, R. Sultan1, F. Shaukat2, H. Zafar1 1Aga Khan University Hospital,Surgery/General Surgery,Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan 2Aga Khan University Hospital,Oncology/Radiation Oncology,Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Introduction: Laparoscopic appendectomy has gained tremendous popularity and acceptance in many countries but has not become the standard of care so far. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes and trends of this procedure in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, over a decade.
Methods: All adult patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from Jan 2004-Dec 2015 were included in the study. Patients’ demographics, operative details like duration of surgery and conversion rate, histopathology and complications were recorded in proforma.
Results: 831 patients were included in the study and trend showing a significant increase in number of laparoscopic appendectomies. 64% of patients were male, median age of 28 years and median hospital stay was 2 days. Mean duration of surgery is 67.47 (SD 25.86) minutes which has significantly improved over time. 7% of the cases were converted to open with decreased conversion rate in recent years. Negative appendectomy rate was 7.86% in our study which has decreased since advent of FACT. Total complication rate was 6.37%, there is rising trend in overall complications of laparoscopic appendectomy over time.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy has become the preferred method of choice in our institution. Results showing improvement in terms of duration of surgery, conversion rate and negative appendectomy rates in addition to all previous known advantages of cosmetics, early recovery, decrease in hospital stay. Our results showing increase in number of complications, but it is reflection of the fact that more complex cases are now being attempted and completed laparoscopically.
