Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy: prospective randomized study of outcomes

This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn. Laparoscopic appendectomies and OAs are comparable in terms of complications, postoperative pain control, length of hospitalisation, and recovery time. Patients who underwent an OA had a shorter operative time and lower operating room and hospital charges. Laparoscopic appendectomy does not offer any proven benefits compared with the open approach for the routine patient with acute appendicitis.