Abstract

Objective: Despite many randomized controlled trials, it is still not clear whether open appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy is the most appropriate surgical approach to acute Appendicitis. It is also widely recognized that laparoscopic removal of appendectomy is a well-established procedure with good outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of open appendectomy versus laparoscopic appendectomy in adults.

Methods: We undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy in adults. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to June 20, 2017. Calculations were made of the effect sizes of short-term outcomes: wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, postoperative complications, peritonitis, postoperative ileus, urinary tract infection, and reoperation, the effect sizes were then pooled by a fixed or random-effects model.

Results: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with 4311 participants were included. Meta-analysis of the available literature demonstrated that laparoscopic appendectomy in adults was associated with lower incidence of wound infection (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.42-0.70, P<0.00001), and fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.90, P= 0.001). Further analysis did not reveal significant differences between the two surgery approaches in intra-abdominal abscess, peritonitis, postoperative ileus, urinary tract infection, and reoperation in adults.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces wound infections and postoperative complications in the treatment of adult acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy is worth recommending as an effective and safe procedure for acute appendicitis in adults.

Keywords: Appendectomy; Laparoscopic surgery; Open surgery; Meta-analysis