Laparoscopic appendectomy safer than open surgery for patients of acute appendicitis

Based on the study, the researchers reported the following findings:

· A total of 777 articles were retrieved, and 16 of them were finally selected. Totally, 1251 patients underwent LA, while 898 patients received OA.

· According to the results of the meta-analysis, LA was associated with a lower incidence of adverse reactions [OR = 0.257], shorter operation time (SMD = − 1.802), and hospitalization (SMD = − 1.184).

· In addition, compared with the OA group, LA was found with less intraoperative blood loss (SMD = − 3.650) and shorter recovery time of gastrointestinal function (SMD = − 3.010).

· Aside from all these, the counts of leukocyte (SMD = − 0.432), neutrophil (SMD = − 1.346), and C-reactive protein (SMD = − 2.391) all decreased in a significant manner after LA.

"LA is advantageous in terms of having shorter operation times and hospital stays, fewer adverse reactions, lower inflammatory response, and fewer complications. Hence, it is safe and feasible surgery for AA," the authors wrote in their study. 

"The study serves to fill the knowledge gap in the literature discussing the optimization of postoperative recovery by LA, and lays a solid theoretical basis for the development of clinical diagnosis and treatment plan for AA," they concluded.

Reference:

Zhang, G., Wu, B. Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis. World J Emerg Surg 17, 26 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-022-00431-1