Laparoscopic appendectomy: A report of 40 cases

Objective To study the advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with acute appendicitis. Methods Forty patients with acute appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with their other celiac diseases treated in our hospital from May 2009 to February 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The laparoscopic appendectomy was successful in the 40 patients including 26 obesity patients with their BMI ≥30.Of the 26 obesity patients,14 were complicated with other diseases.The operation time was 20-65min（mean 30min）.No patient was transferred to laparotomy.No complications,such postoperative bleeding,intestinal leakage,stubble inflammation,trocar mouth infection,and intestinal obstruction,occurred after operation.The patients were discharged 2-5 days after operation.Of the 40 patients,10 were diagnosed as simple appendicitis,22 as acute suppurative appendicitis,and 8 as acute gangrenous appendicitis,according to their pathological findings.Thirty-eight patients were followed up for 6-24 months（mean 12 months）,during which no laparoscopic appendectomy-related complications occurred. Conclusion Laparoscopic appendectomy is significantly advantageous for obesity patients due to its minimally invasive trauma,faster recovery,low incision infection rate,and therefore will gradually replace the traditional surgical procedure.