The value of a laparoscopic interval appendectomy for treatment of a periappendiceal abscess: experience of a single medical center.

BACKGROUND

Interval appendectomy has been known to be an effective and safe treatment for a periappendiceal abscess, but there is no study on a laparoscopic approach for the treatment of a periappendiceal abscess. The aim of this study is to investigate the value of laparoscopic interval appendectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 56 patients who had been admitted due to a periappendiceal abscess to Chungbuk National University Hospital from July 2005 to June 2010. Fifteen patients underwent an initial conservative treatment and interval appendectomy. Medical records were reviewed for the postoperative hospital course such as complications, time of initiation of diet, time since stopping antibiotics, symptoms' relief period, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

All patients received initial conservative treatment [percutaneous drainage insertion (1 case failed) and intravenous antibiotics], and the initial length of hospital stay was 11.6±4.3 days. Percutaneous drainage was removed a mean of 21.7±9.4 days after the initial treatment. Interval appendectomy was performed at a mean of 64.0±17.8 days after initial admission. The duration of use of intravenous antibiotics was a mean of 4.1±1.8 days after laparoscopic interval appendectomy. The complication rate was 1 (6.7%) and the open conversion rate was 1 (6.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that initial conservative treatment and laparoscopic interval appendectomy represented a feasible and effective treatment for patients with a periappendiceal abscess.