Yonsei Med J.  2014 Nov;55(6):1606-1610. 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.6.1606.

Feasibility of the Short Hospital Stays after Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Uncomplicated Appendicitis

• Lee JM
• Jang JY
• Lee SH
• Shim H
• Lee JG

• KMID: 2070209
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.6.1606

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of short hospital stays after laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The records of 142 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis from January 2010 to December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were allocated to an early (<48 hours) or a late (>48 hours) group by postoperative hospital stay. Postoperative complications and readmission rates in the two groups were evaluated and compared.
RESULTS
Overall mean patient age was 50.1 (+/-16.0) years, and mean hospital stay was 3.8 (+/-2.8) days. Fifty-four patients (group E, 38.0%) were discharged within 48 hours of surgery, and 88 patients (group L, 62.0%) stayed more than 48 hours. Overall complication rates were similar in the two groups (14.8% vs. 21.6%, p=0.318), and wound complications (13.0% vs. 12.5%), postoperative bowel obstruction (1.9% vs. 2.3%), and abdominal pain (1.9% vs. 3.4%) were not significantly different.
CONCLUSION
Patients that undergo laparoscopic appendectomy due to uncomplicated appendicitis may be safely discharged within 48 hours. Further study should be conducted to determine the optimal length of hospital stay after laparoscopic appendectomy to reduce hospital costs.

Keyword

Laparoscopic; appendectomy; hospital stay; complication

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Acute Disease
Adult
Aged
Appendectomy/*methods
Appendicitis/*surgery
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
*Laparoscopy
Length of Stay/*statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative Period
Retrospective Studies

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Patient flow diagram.

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