One-trocar appendectomy

Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a feasible and a safe alternative to open appendectomy. Several laparoscopic procedures have been described that use one or more trocars. We report our experience with the treatment of acute appendicitis using a laparoscopy-assisted technique by means of only one transumbilical trocar. Methods: From February 1996 to February 1999 we performed 65 laparoscopic appendectomies. In the procedures, a 10-mm operative telescope was used, with a 450-mm atraumatic grasper introduced through the operative channel. After the intraabdominal laparoscopic dissection, the appendix was exteriorized through the umbilical trocar. The appendectomy was performed outside the abdomen as in the open procedure. The procedure was completed using only one trocar in 55 patients (84.6%). Regarding the other 10 cases (15.3%), in 5 we used more than one trocar and in 5 conversion to open surgery was needed. Results: The average operating time in our series was 25 min and the median time to discharge was 2 days. There were six (11%) postoperative complications (three serous umbilical secretion and three umbilical hematomas). Conclusions: Our results suggest that this technique, which combines the advantages of both the open and the laparoscopic procedures, is a valid alternative for the treatment of acute appendicitis. However, this procedure cannot always be completed using only one trocar, as happened in 10 cases in our series.     

Laparoscopic two-stage surgery for goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix: report of a case and review of the Japanese literature

Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix is a rare clinical entity exhibiting features of both carcinoid and adenocarcinoma. Here, we present the first report of laparoscopic 2-stage surgery for goblet cell carcinoid with a review of the Japanese literature. A 49-year-old man underwent laparoscopic appendectomy under the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. A pathologic diagnosis of goblet cell carcinoid, accompanied by the aggressive proliferation, with acute appendicitis was made. Subsequent laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed, and it was verified that there were neither residual tumor nor lymph node metastases. The postoperative course was uneventful. Because goblet cell carcinoid may be difficult to clinically distinguish from acute appendicitis, pathologic examination is essential. Depending upon the grade of tumor proliferation, additional resection should be considered, and our experience with this case suggests that laparoscopic 2-stage surgery is feasible for the adequate treatment of goblet cell carcinoid without complications.     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗儿童白血病并发急性阑尾炎(附6例报告)

目的:探讨白血病患儿并发急性阑尾炎全麻下行腹腔镜阑尾切除术的安全性及手术时机。方法:回顾分析2009年1月至2014年7月收治的6例白血病患儿并发急性阑尾炎行腹腔镜阑尾切除术的相关资料,并复习相关文献。结果:患者均在全麻下完成腹腔镜阑尾切除术,术后高热3例,切口穿刺孔渗血、积血1例,均经处理治愈出院,无一例死亡。结论:白血病患者较正常人更容易罹患急性阑尾炎,一旦确诊应首选手术治疗。随着近年腹腔镜技术的发展,腹腔镜阑尾切除术由于具有并发症少、患者创伤小、疗效好、康复快、住院时间短等优点为治疗儿童白血病患者并发急性阑尾炎提供了又一手术方式的选择。我们经验证明儿童白血病并发急性阑尾炎行腹腔镜阑尾切除术是安全、可行的。     

LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDICECTOMY A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

The potential advantages of laparoscopic surgery for a number of abdominal operations including appendicectomy have been heralded. In this study the aims were to assess prospectively the role of routine diagnostic laparoscopy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and determine the efficacy of laparoscopic appendicectomy. Patients with suspected acute appendicitis had diagnostic laparoscopy. When the diagnosis was confirmed laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed. Where an alternative diagnosis was made the appropriate treatment was instituted. If no diagnosis could be made the macroscopically normal appendix was removed by laparoscopic appendicectomy. Eighty-one patients (50 female, 31 male) had an initial diagnostic laparoscopy; 53 had appendicitis and proceeded to laparoscopic appendicectomy. A diagnosis could not be established at diagnostic laparoscopy in six patients and they also proceeded to laparoscopic appendicectomy. An alternative diagnosis was made in the remaining 22 patients (19 female and 3 male), with five proceeding to laparotomy and one patient with mesenteric adenitis having laparoscopic appendicectomy. Seven patients having laparoscopic appendicectomy required conversion to an open operation due to a retrocaecal³ or perforated⁴ appendix. The median operating time for successful laparoscopic appendicectomy was 55 min (range 30–95). Morbidity occurred in five of 53 patients having a successful laparoscopic appendicectomy. The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. The median time before return to normal activities was 8 days. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a useful diagnostic technique in women with suspected acute appendicitis, as it improves diagnostic accuracy, reduces the negative appendicectomy rate and avoids unnecessary laparotomy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a significant technical advance in the management of acute appendicitis. Preliminary results reveal similar morbidity to open appendicectomy with the potential advantages of a reduced postoperative hospital stay and a more rapid return to normal activities. Randomized trials are required to confirm this.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: indications and current use.

Laparoscopic evaluation was performed in 43 consecutive patients with right lower abdominal pain and preoperative diagnosis of possible appendicitis. Patients with generalized peritonitis and evidence of perforation of the appendix were not considered for laparoscopy. Visualization was sufficient for making a diagnosis in 97.7% of the cases. In 95%, laparoscopic findings were compatible with the pathology report. Thirty-five patients underwent successful laparoscopic appendectomy with neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications. No further surgery was required; slightly elevated temperatures in 6 patients responded to treatment with antibiotics, and there were no wound infections. Laparoscopic appendectomy is minimally invasive and results in less postoperative pain and morbidity and fewer adhesions and other long-term sequelae than conventional laparotomy. It is associated with superior cosmetic results, a shorter hospital stay, and faster return to normal activities. This experience suggests that if there is no evidence that the appendix is perforated or that generalized peritonitis exists and if qualified physicians and adequate facilities are available, patients presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and possible appendicitis are best evaluated and treated with laparoscopic technique.     

Laparoscopic appendicectomy: an 8-year clinical experience

BACKGROUND: For more than a century, open appendectomy through a laparotomy has been the golden standard for the surgical removal of the appendix. Nowadays, many surgeons question the utility of laparoscopic surgery to perform appendectomies because it is commonly stated that the appendix can be removed through a small surgical incision carrying a minimal surgical trauma to the patient. Although open appendectomy is really safe, on the other hand it carries a considerable risk of postoperative complications, is associated with postoperative pain and affects patient s normal activity. Laparoscopic appendectomy was first described in 1983 and, in many studies, it is described to be better than open standard technique for the treatment of appendiceal diseases. The aim of the present study is the retrospective analysis of laparoscopic appendectomies performed in a 8-year period. METHODS: The authors report on 129 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: Conversion rate was 0.7 %, while the laparoscopic procedure was completed in 96 female and 32 male patients. The position of the appendix was behind the cecum in 37 cases, associate diseases were found in 15 cases. Mean operative time was 51 minutes; kind of laparoscopic instrumentation affected the operation time. Histologically there were 71 (55.5 %) focal appendicitis, 22 (17.1 %) suppurative appendicitis, 11 (8.6 %) gangrenous appendicitis, 18 (14.1 %) chronic appendicitis showing signs of previous suppurative episodes and 6 (4.7 %) normal appendix. There were neither in-hospital morbidity nor mortality. Follow-up showed reduced postoperative pain, short hospital stay, fast return to complete social activity. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that laparoscopic technique can be considered a safe and effective procedure for the removal of the appendix as it has the advantage of allowing faster postoperative recovery; moreover the author recommend a wider and routinely use for appendectomy.     

腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎并穿孔256例报告

目的:探讨腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎并穿孔的手术方法、指征、并发症及效果.方法:回顾分析2006年7月至2010年6月为256例急性阑尾炎并穿孔患者行腹腔镜手术的临床资料.结果:256例手术均获成功,无一例中转开腹.手术时间35～110 min,平均55 min,术中出血量5～20 ml,术后排气时间平均19.5 ...     

Results of laparoscopic treatment of complicated appendicitis

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children is a generally accepted procedure for the treatment of non-complicated acute appendicitis. Nevertheless, the role of laparoscopy in complicated cases is controversial. We show our experience with 40 cases of complicated acute appendicitis treated by means laparoscopy between February 2000 and October 2002. In every case we used 3 ports, one umbilical and the other two in both lower quadrants. The appendix was gangrenous in 31 patients and in the other 9 was perforated. Appendectomy was performed in an extracorporeal way in most of the cases. Average surgical time was 71 minutes and mean hospital stay was 8.8 days. Intraoperative complications occurred in 8 cases (20%) and postoperative complications were observed in 9 patients (22.5%). Four patients were reoperated (2 open and 2 laparoscopic) in order to drain two abscesses and treat two obstructions. The results of this serie is compared with another group of 40 complicated appendicitis operated in a classic open way in the same period of time. Postoperative complications were less often in the laparoscopic group. Oral intake, need for analgesia and hospital stay are more favorable in the laparoscopic group.     

Stump appendicitis after laparoscopic appendectomy; laparoscopic management and literature review

IntroductionAppendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide There are different etiologies for acute appendicitis such as obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by fecalith, lymphoid hyperplasia, or neoplasm.Laparoscopic appendectomy has become the treatment of choice for both complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis; common postoperative complications include wound infection, bleeding, intraabdominal abscess.Stump appendicitis is defined as the interval repeated inflammation of remaining residual appendiceal tissue after an appendectomy.Presentation of case38-Year-old female patient with a history of laparoscopic appendectomy performed in 2016 for acute uncomplicated appendicitis.She arrived to the emergency room due to abdominal pain 7 out of 10, located in the periumbilical region, later with migration to the right lower quadrant, abdominal CT scan evidenced the presence of a cecal and pericecal inflammatory process as well as the base and residual proximal portion of the cecal appendix laparoscopic stump appendectomy was performed.DiscussionStump appendicitis (SA) is defined as the inflammation of the remnant of the cecal appendix after an appendectomy, whether due to impaction of a fecalith or secondary to an ischemic process, the probability of developing SA is estimated to be about 1/50,000 cases throughout life.The most frequently used treatment is exploratory laparotomy to complete the previous appendectomy; however, there are 5 reported cases of stump appendicitis, where surgical resolution was performed through laparoscopic surgery.ConclusionsIt is important to keep this entity in mind when evaluating a patient with acute abdomen with previous history of appendectomy, since the delay in diagnosis and treatment increases morbidity and mortality; laparoscopic stump appendectomy has been shown to be a safe treatment (Agha et al., 2020 [14]).¹     

复杂性阑尾炎的腹腔镜手术经验与体会(附220例报告)

目的:总结复杂性阑尾炎的腹腔镜手术经验,并探讨其安全性与可行性。方法:回顾分析2010年1月至2013年5月为220例复杂性阑尾炎患者行腹腔镜手术的临床资料。结果:214例顺利完成腹腔镜手术,6例中转开腹。手术时间40~240 min,平均(78±26)min;术后排气时间12 h~5 d,平均(48±16)h;住院4~13 d,平均(4.8±2.8)d;术后并发右下腹炎性包块4例、盆腔脓肿2例,经消炎、局部理疗等处理治愈;左下腹切口感染8例,经换药治愈。患者均治愈,无术后大出血、阑尾残端瘘、肠瘘、肠梗阻等严重并发症发生。随访3个月~2年,无肠粘连、肠梗阻、阑尾残株炎等并发症发生。结论:腹腔镜手术治疗复杂性阑尾炎是安全、可行的,手术难点主要在于阑尾的显露、系膜与根部的处理及腹腔脓液的清除。     

悬吊辅助法腹腔镜阑尾切除术

目的:总结悬吊辅助法在腹腔镜阑尾切除术中的应用经验。方法:带线深静脉置管针于麦氏点穿刺入腹,以穿刺针腹腔内侧端及线夹角固定阑尾(包括系膜),绷紧穿刺针腹腔外"2"号尼龙线,小直钳固定,调整穿刺针将阑尾固定在合适位置,以便手术操作。超声刀切断阑尾系膜,至阑尾根部,用16 mm Hem-o-lok结扎处理阑尾根部,阑尾残端电刀烧灼。结果:50例成功施行悬吊辅助法腹腔镜阑尾切除术,2例因阑尾根部穿孔中转开腹。手术时间30~70 min,平均(41.0±7.4)min,不包括麻醉前后及准备器械时间;失血量5~10 ml,术后肛门排气时间4~26 h,平均(18.0±5.6)h。术后未使用止痛剂。术后病理示急性单纯性阑尾炎3例,急性化脓性阑尾炎47例,坏疽性阑尾炎2例。住院3~7 d,平均(4.0±0.8)d。术后2个月后复查,均无切口感染、切口疝、肠梗阻及右下腹疼痛等并发症发生。结论:悬吊辅助法腹腔镜阑尾切除术未明显增加手术时间与手术难度,除具有三孔腹腔镜阑尾切除术康复快、并发症少等优点外,美容效果更佳。     

Laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a safe, effective, and beneficial procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis. However, limited data are available regarding the safety and feasibility of LA during pregnancy. METHODS: Between January 2001 and August 2004, 1235 patients with clinically suspected appendicitis underwent laparoscopic surgery at our hospital. Eleven patients (0.9%) were pregnant women (mean age, 25 years; age range, 19-37 years; range of gestational age, 4-30 weeks). Clinical data collected retrospectively included demographic information; preoperative, procedural, and postoperative information; and outcome of the pregnancy. RESULTS: All 11 pregnant women underwent laparoscopic surgery without need of conversion. Ten patients underwent LA and were found to have acute appendicitis on histologic analysis. One patient had torsion of the right fallopian tube and a healthy-looking appendix; she underwent detorsion of the fallopian tube and incidental appendectomy. Mean operative time was 50.5 minutes (range, 20-135 minutes). Length of postoperative hospital stay averaged 4.2 days (range, 1-11 days). One patient had a surgical wound infection, which was managed conservatively. Mean follow-up period was 14 months (range, 2-46 months). Seven pregnant women delivered healthy term infants, 2 had planned abortions, and 1 experienced fetal loss due to uterine infection and premature contractions 1 month after LA. Another patient had normal results at prenatal examination. CONCLUSION: Our data support the accumulating evidence that LA is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis in all trimesters of pregnancy. Close maternal and fetal monitoring is essential during and after the operation.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy. Our experience

The advantages and applications of the videolaparoscopic technique (VL) versus open surgery in the treatment of acute and complicated appendicitis are not well defined. Our study examined 150 patients, 67 males and 83 females. They underwent surgery for acute appendicitis in emergency. The choice between open or laparoscopic tecnique was due to patient's clinical conditions and surgeon's experience. Two of these patients had no infiammatory process. Eleven patients were affected by gynaecological diseases. The last 137 patients underwent surgery for acute appendicitis and the diagnosis was confirmed. Among them, 35 (25%) were affected by a complicated appendicitis with diffuse or clearly defined peritonitis. In 134 patients the surgery was completed laparoscopically. The conversion rate was 2%. Morbility rate was 3%, due to intra abdominal abscesses secondary to acute complicated appendicitis. The mean operative time was 76 min and the mean hospital stay was 4.8 days. The death rate was 0%. In our experience, laparoscopic appendectomy has significant advantages over traditional open surgery in both acute and complicated appendicitis, especially in young women. In this way, we can diagnose pelvic disease that could be characterized by the same symptoms of acute appendicitis, then we suggest laparoscopic appendectomy even just to complete the diagnostic iter. Laparoscopy is useful in terms of convalescence, postoperative pain, hospital stay, aesthetic outcome and an easier exploration of the peritoneal cavity.     

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children

Background and Objectives:

The advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy have not yet been clearly demonstrated. The present study evaluated our early experience with laparoscopic appendectomy in children, in terms of its safety, effectiveness, technical difficulties, and economics.

Methods:

We reviewed the records of 50 cases involving laparoscopic appendectomy performed at our affiliated institutions between September, 1994, and September, 1996. Patient age ranged from 6 to 18 years (mean, 14 years). Thirty-two patients had acute nonperforated appendicitis, six had perforated appendicitis, two had fibrosis of the appendix, and ten had a histologically normal appendix.

Results:

In five patients the laparoscopic procedures were converted to open appendectomies because of technical difficulties. There were postoperative complications in four patients: one incomplete appendectomy which subsequently required an open appendectomy for completion, one pelvic abscess, one bowel obstruction, and one minor wound infection.

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure. It takes longer operative time than open appendectomy. Length of hospitalization and incidence of postoperative complications are equivalent to those of open appendectomy. Economic benefits are difficult to assess at present. In sum, we believe that with better training, surgical techniques and equipment, laparoscopic appendectomy will eventually become the surgical procedure of choice in appendicitis.     

Successful surgical management of non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic disseminated intravascular coagulation: A case report and review of the literature

IntroductionPerforating appendicitis and abscess-forming appendicitis may cause septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic DIC is extremely rare.Presentation of caseA 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital one day after starting oral antibiotic treatment for acute appendicitis. Physical examination revealed only slight spontaneous abdominal pain without tenderness and peritoneal irritation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated an enlarged appendix (10 mm in diameter) without fecalith, ascites, intraperitoneal free air, and abscess. There was no evidence of perforating appendicitis. Laboratory analysis revealed septic DIC. The patient was diagnosed with non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic DIC. The patient was distressed regarding whether he should be treated conservatively with an antibiotics-first strategy or undergo an appendectomy. Ultimately, a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed non-perforating gangrenous appendicitis. He required DIC therapy for 2 days postoperatively. He was discharged on postoperative day 9, and remained in good health 1 month after surgery.DiscussionThere is no absolute index of conversion to surgery with an antibiotics-first strategy of appendicitis treatment. Judging the limit of conservative treatment and determining the best moment to perform surgery is a critically important matter for patients with acute appendicitis.ConclusionsThe incidence of conservative treatment preceding an antibiotics-first strategy for acute appendicitis is increasing. However, it is thought that appendectomy should be performed when acute appendicitis is complicated with septic DIC, even if it is a non-perforating appendicitis in which improvement with conservative treatment is anticipated.     

Crohn's disease of the appendix

Crohn's disease limited to the appendix is uncommon. Clinically, it is likely to mimic acute appendicitis. It is more frequent in young people and definitive diagnosis is histological. We present a series of seven cases of Crohn's disease of the appendix that were treated in our surgery service over the past 12 years. The seven patients had pain in the lower right quadrant. In all patients, the preoperative diagnosis was acute appendicitis and appendectomy was performed. Histopathological evaluation was required for diagnosis. In the postoperative course, one patient was diagnosed with colonic Crohn's disease, and outcome was favorable with medical treatment. Although isolated Crohn's disease of the appendix is a rare entity, it should be considered in the preoperative differential diagnosis of patients with right lower quadrant pain and a protracted preoperative course mimicking acute appendicitis. Disease recurrence elsewhere in the alimentary tract is uncommon.     

Video-assisted appendectomy

BACKGROUND: The acceptability of the classic laparoscopic technique in the treatment of acute appendicitis is slow, probably due to the higher costs of this method compared to the cheaper, efficacious, safe and rapid discharge associated with traditional surgery. METHODS: In order to combine the advantages of the laparoscopic technique with those of traditional surgery, we performed a retrospective study of the safety, efficacy, rapid discharge with return to normal working activities, and the costs in 70 patients referred to our attention with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis and who underwent one trocar appendectomy. This technique consists of positioning a single trocar in an umbilical site and using a 10 mm telecamera with a 5 mm operating canal. Having visualised the appendix and freed it from any synechiae, the distal end is grasped and it is removed through the umbilical trocar. Appendectomy is performed outside using a technique that is similar to traditional surgery. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made on the basis of clinical data (pain, leucocytosis, fever, possible resistance in the right iliac fossa).     

Laparoscopic appendectomy and minilaparoscopic approach: a retrospective review after 8-years' experience.

BACKGROUND: This is a presentation of our 8-year experience in laparoscopic appendectomy, showing complications and results to determine the advantages and efficacy of laparoscopy. METHODS: We used this technique from December 1990 to December 1998 on 282 consecutive and non-selected patients (169 females and 113 males) with an average age of 24 years (range 5-86 years). All patients were suffering from sub-acute appendicitis or chronic appendicopathies, except for 84 (29.7%) cases of acute appendicitis and 25 (8.9%) cases of gangrenous appendicitis with peritonitis. All patients with suspected appendicitis were evaluated with a laparoscopic exploration. RESULTS: In 39 patients (13.9%), appendectomy was performed along with 19 enucleated or endocoagulated ovarian cysts, 8 adhesiolyses, 6 transperitoneal hernioplasties (4 right and 2 left), 2 cholecystectomies, 2 excisions of a Meckel diverticulum, 1 aspiration and suture of a right tubal pregnancy and 1 electrodesiccation of pelvic endometriosis. Thirty-five patients (12.5%) revealed the presence of a gynecological-type pathology. We performed 2 (0.7%) conversions to open exploration and experienced 6 (2.1%) complications, of which only 1 (0.35%) was a major complication: a delayed hemoperitoneum (1 liter), re-operated elsewhere, the cause of which was not identified. We performed 4 (1.4%) relaparoscopies for retrocecal abscess (three patients with primary gangrenous appendicitis and peritonitis presenting with an abscess in the right iliac fossa and in one patient with widespread intestinal adhesions with primary acute appendicitis). No patient with a diagnosis of a normal appendix developed an intraperitoneal abscess. Mortality was non-existent. The postoperative course, which was subjectively better than in cases operated in the traditional way, was, on an average, 2 days (range 1-18 days) for appendectomies carried out with the traditional laparoscopic technique and 1 day for appendectomies carried out with the minilaparoscopic technique (6 patients). CONCLUSION: We believe that the laparoscopic technique can handle any type of clinical situation, as it can cure several pathologies during the same session with minimal trauma and maximum benefit for the patient. The advantages of a minilaparoscopy approach are based on its low invasiveness and small surgical wounds.     

A Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomy

Background and Objectives:

To compare laparoscopic appendectomy with traditional open appendectomy.

Methods:

Seventy-one patients requiring operative intervention for suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively compared. Thirty-seven patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, and 34 had open appendectomy through a right lower quadrant incision. Length of surgery, postoperative morbidity and length of postoperative stay (LOS) were recorded. Both groups were similar with regard to age, gender, height, weight, fever, leukocytosis, and incidence of normal vs. gangrenous or perforated appendix.

Results:

Mean LOS was significantly shorter for patients with acute suppurative appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (2.5 days vs. 4.0 days, p<0.01). Mean LOS was no different when patients classified as having gangrenous or perforated appendicitis were included in the analysis (3.7 days vs. 4.1 days, P=0.11). The laparoscopy group had significantly longer surgery times (72 min vs. 58 min, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative morbidity.

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces LOS as compared with the traditional open technique in patients with acute suppurative appendicitis. The longer operative time for the laparoscopic approach in our study is likely related to the learning curve associated with the procedure and did not increase morbidity.     

Laparoscopic procedure for suspected appendicitis

Between September 1990 and December 1993, 283 consecutive patients were admitted with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis. These patients underwent primary laparoscopic approach so that an appendicectomy could be performed by this method. In 49 cases (17.3%), primary laparoscopic examination corrected the preoperative diagnosis and the appendix was left in situ. Appendicectomy was performed in 234 cases (149 women, 85 men) with a mean age of 30 years. Requirement for open surgery occurred in 29 cases. The main cause of unsuccessful procedures was inflammation due to local or generalized peritonitis. Median operative time for a successful procedure was 60 min (range, 25–160). Four postoperative complications (one related to laparoscopic procedure), one case of wound infection, and no mortality resulted. After laparoscopic appendicectomy, the median hospital stay was 3 days (range, 1–16). These results suggest that a laparoscopic approach for suspected appendicitis is reliable, allowing abdominal exploration and safe appendicectomy.