Laparoscopic appendectomy incidental to gynecologic procedures.

1. The advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy over the traditional "open" method include decreased chance of wound infection, early ambulation and resumption of normal daily activities, decreased postoperative pain, improved diagnostic accuracy, better visualization of intra-abdominal anatomy, improved cosmetic results, and avoidance of "open" appendectomy if pathology is found during routine gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. 2. Single-puncture laparoscopy has several advantages over the multiple-puncture approach, including simplicity, expediency, lower cost, avoidance of potential complications associated with multiple punctures, improved cosmetic results, and flexibility to be converted into multiple-puncture laparoscopy or laparotomy when indicated. 3. Laparoscopy is expected to eventually replace laparotomy as the primary approach for most cases of diseases of the appendix. It is not suitable in cases of dense adhesions with distorted anatomy, malignancy, or severe pelvic peritonitis.