Transumbilical Laparoscopic-assisted Appendectomy in Children / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility of transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy in children. Methods From February 2005 to February 2006, transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy was performed on 76 children with acute or suppurative appendicitis. After two 0.5-cm incisions were made at the inferior and right-lateral margins of the umbilical ring, two trocars sized 5.5 mm in outer diameter were inserted into the abdominal cavity. Under a laparoscope, the appendix was detected and clipped at the middle part. After the pneumoperitoneum was evacuated, the two incisions were connected, and the whole appendix was pulled out. Then, appendectomy was performed using the traditional method. Results In this series, the mean operation time was (20.6?6.4) min (range: 15-40 min), and the mean postoperative flatulence-relief time was (12.0?3.5) h (range: 4-18 h). In all the patients, the surgical wound healed primarily. One month after the operation, one patient developed suture foreign body reactions, and was cured without scars around the hilum after the suture material was removed. The 74 patients were followed up for 2-14 months [mean, (7.3?3.6) months], none of the patients had incision scars in the umbilical area. Conclusion Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy is feasible in children with simple suppurative appendicitis.