MINILAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY

BACKGROUND : Minilaparoscopy is considered one of the minimally invasive options available for acute appendicitis treatment, although not always employed in less complexity public health services. AIM : Report surgical outcomes of minilaparoscopy use in acute appendicitis treatment. METHOD: The study included 21 patients undergoing minilaparoscopic appendectomy with instrumental of 3 mm. The following variables were analyzed: sex, age, body mass index, stage of appendicitis, surgical time, hospital stay, surgical complications, conversion rate to conventional laparoscopy or laparotomy, pain after surgery and aesthetic result. RESULTS : Twelve men and nine women underwent minilaparoscopic appendectomy. The average age was 27,8 years, the mean BMI was 24,8 kg/m(2). The operative time ranged from 33 to 160 min and the average of hospital stay was three days. Among the 21 patients, 20 reported mild pain or no pain in the first postoperative day. The aesthetic result was considered "satisfactory" and "very satisfactory" by 95% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS : The minilaparoscopy is viable technique for treating acute appendicitis with a satisfactory recovery. It combines the benefits of minimally invasive procedures with results similar to conventional techniques.