Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children has complication rates comparable with those of open appendectomy

PurposeTo evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic (LA) vs. open appendectomy (OA) in children with perforated appendicitis (PA).MethodsWe reviewed the medical files of 221 children who underwent LA (n = 75), OA (n = 122), and conversion (CO) (n = 24), comparing duration of operation, re-admissions, re-operations, intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA), and wound infections.ResultsCompared to OA, LA resulted in fewer re-admissions (1.3% vs. 12.3%; P = .006), fewer re-operations (4% vs. 17.2%; P = .006), and fewer wound infections (0% vs. 11.5%; P = .001). No differences in the duration of operation (72.9 ± 23.0 min vs. 77.7 ± 48.0 min; P = .392) or IAA (4% vs. 11.5%; P = .114) were observed. Compared to LA, CO had more complications.ConclusionsWe report that LA is superior to OA with regard to incidence of re-admission, re-operation, and wound infection.