LAPAROSCOPIC VS. CONVENTIONAL APPENDECTOMY: OUR EXPERIENCE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies, treated either by laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) or conventional open appendectomy. This retrospective study analysed 132 patients who underwent surgery at the Policlinico G. Rodolico in Catania (Italy) between 2020 and 2023, comparing the two approaches in terms of operative time, complications, and length of hospital stay. The results indicate that the laparoscopic technique, performed in 62.12% of cases, offers advantages such as shorter operative time, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospitalisation. However, it presents a higher risk of intra-abdominal abscesses compared with the open technique. LA thus proves to be a beneficial choice, particularly in cases of uncertain diagnosis.
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