Laparoscopic vs Open Appendectomy: Surgical Outcomes with Early Recovery and Length of Hospital Stay - A Comparative Study in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To compare the surgical outcomes in terms of recovery and complications of laparoscopic versus
open appendectomy in patients presenting to tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi.
Study Design: Prospective comparative study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Surgery at Combined Military
Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 1^st July 2022 to 31^st December 2022.
Methods: Seventy patients with clinically and radiologically confirmed acute appendicitis were segregated by
lottery method into two equal groups of 35 each. Patients undergoing open appendectomy (OA) were placed in
Group A, those planned for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) were placed in Group B. Pre and postoperative
outcomes, including Alvarado score, operating time, postoperative pain, and hospital stay documented and
compared between the groups.
Results: A mean age of 28.40 ± 6.73 years in the open appendectomy group and 29.06 ± 9.84 years in the
laparoscopic appendectomy group was noted (P=0.745). The mean Alvarado score was 7.29 ± 0.95 in Group A
and 6.86 ± 1.16 in Group B (P=0.098). A statistically significant difference was noted in the mean operation time
of 67.29 ± 9.67 minutes for open appendectomy versus 38.77 ± 8.67 minutes for laparoscopic appendectomy (P
< 0.05). The mean hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopic appendectomy, with 1.51 ± 0.61 days compared to
2.00 ± 0.54 days for open appendectomy (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy offered intra- and post-operative advantages like less operating time,
shorter hospital stays, and quicker resumption of normal activities.