Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: In this study, our aim is to evaluate the necessity of intraperitoneal drainage in perforated appendicitis.
Methods: 510 pediatric patients [246 laparoscopic (LA) and 264 open (OA)] underwent appendectomy between 2007 and 2014. 275 of them were perforated appendicitis (106 LA, 169 OA). The patients were retrospectively evaluated in terms of age, sex, symptoms, length of hospital stay (LOHS), antibiotherapy, postoperative nasogastric tube placement and intraperitoneal drainage, follow-up period, intraoperative and postoperative complications.
Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between laparoscopic perforated appendicitis (71 male, 35 female; median 9.5 years) and open perforated appendicitis (108 male, 61 female; median 9 years) groups in terms of placement of nasogastric tube (102/106 vs.169/169) (p=0.021), length of hospital stay (1.67± 0.11 days vs. 2.34± 0.09 days) (p<0.001), intraperitoneal drainage (32/106 vs. 138/169), (p<0.001), duration of intraperitoneal drainage (1.66± 0.28 vs. 4.21± 0.2 days) and LOHS (5.82± 0.3 vs. 4.23± 0.6 days) respectively (p <0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of development of intra-abdominal abscess (10/106 vs. 9/169), (p=0.144), surgical site infection (2/106 vs. 8/169), (p=0.187) and development of adhesive intestinal obstruction (1/106 vs. 9/169) (p=0.053).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic access reduces the necessity for drainage and shortens duration of nasogastric tube and length of hospital stay.