Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children: Experience in a Single Centre in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract EN

Background.

Since the latter half of 1980s laparoscopy has become a well acceptedmodality in children in many surgical procedures including appendectomy.

We present here the experience of laparoscopic appendectomy in children in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.

Subjects & Methods.

From October 7, 2005 to July 31, 2012, 1809 laparoscopicappendectomies were performed.

Laparoscopy was performed in all the cases using 3ports.

For difficult and adherent cases submucosal appendectomy was performed.

Feeding was allowed 6 h after surgery and the majority was discharged on the firstpostoperative day.

The age, sex, operative techniques, operative findings, operativetime, hospital stay, outcome, and complications were evaluated in this retrospectivestudy.

Results.

Mean age was 8.17 ± 3.28 years and 69% were males.

Fifteen percent werecomplicated appendicitis, 8 cases needed conversion, and 27 cases were done bysubmucosal technique.

Mean operating time was 39.8 ± 14.2 minutes and meanpostoperative hospital stay was 1.91 days.

About 5% cases had postoperativecomplications including 4 intra-abdominal abscesses.

Conclusions.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure in children even incomplicated cases.