Laparoscopic appendectomy versus single incision laparoscopic appendectomy: Prospective results

Laparoscopic appendectomy became the standard treatment method for appendicitis, recently. Single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) using single port, ensures less postoperative pain and better cosmetic results. In consequence of these advantages it seems to take place of conventional laparoscopic surgery. The aim of our study is to compare results of laparoscopic and single incision laparoscopic appendectomy. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) cases performed in our clinic between January 2011 and March 2012, were evaluated prospectively according to age, sex, operation time, hospital stay, body mass index (BMI), Alvarado score and numerical verbal pain score (NVPS). Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) was applied to all cases at 3rd month postoperatively. LA was performed to 44 and SILA to 30 cases. 36 (48,6%) of patients were female and 38 (51,3%) were male. Mean age was 37 (18-64). There was no significant difference between groups according to age, Alvarado score, serum leukocyte count, CRP level, BMI and ASA score. Mean operation time was 63.41 minutes (30-150) for laparoscopic group whereas 54.33 minutes (15-120) for SILA group (p=0,146). Mean hospital stay was 28.39 hours (13-102) for LA and 25.23 (16-144) hours for SILA group. Urinary bladder hematoma occured in 1 (2.3%) case of LA group as complication. Mean postoperative 12th hour and 1st week NVPS was 2,62 (0-7) and 2,52 (0-5) for LA whereas 3,43 (1-7) and 2,9 (1-5) for SILA group, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups for NVPS (p=0.131 for 12th hour NVPS, p=0.866 for 1st week NVPS). There was either no significant difference between patients for GIQLI scores applied 3rd month postoperatively. SILA is a safe surgical method that can be performed for appendicitis and is only superior to conventional laparoscopic surgery by visual cosmetic results.