Retrospective review of laparoscopic versus open surgery in the treatment of appendiceal abscess in pediatric patients: Laparoscopic versus open surgery for appendiceal abscess

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has become well accepted, but the role of LA for appendicitis upon presentation with an abscess remains undefined. This study was to assess the postoperative recovery and complications following LA in pediatric patients with appendiceal abscess in comparison with open appendectomy (OA). We conducted a retrospective review of patients presented with appendiceal abscess between 2005 and 2016. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to adjust for any potential selection bias for the surgical approaches. In 108 matched patients, operative outcomes and surgical complications were evaluated based on LA or OA. The patients with LA experienced prompt postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery, like first bowel movement (risk ratio [RR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.69; P < .001), so spend the lower mean length of hospitalization (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.41–0.76; P < .001) in comparison with patients with OA. Furthermore, the immunologic and inflammatory variable white blood cell (WBC) (RR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.46–0.73; P < .001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43–0.86; P = .011) on postoperative days (POD) 5 was reduced in patients undergone LA compared with that of OA. A lower overall postoperative complication rate, including surgical wound infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18–0.81; P = .008) and incision dehiscence (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.45; P < .001) was noted in patients with LA compared with OA. LA was feasible and effective for appendicitis upon presentation with an abscess and associated with beneficial clinical effects, such as postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and reduced postoperative complications. LA should be seriously considered as the first line procedure of choice.