Laparoscopic surgery in children and adolescents with suspected appendicitis: results of medical technology assessment.

Laparoscopy has been performed in 43 patients aged up to 18 years with suspected appendicitis; 20 were children 8-15 years and 23 adolescents 16-18 years of age. Diagnostic laparoscopy was successful in 36 (84%) patients; in 7 (16%) subsequent laparotomy was necessary to establish the diagnosis, in 4 (9%) because the appendix was not visualized. Laparoscopic appendectomy was done in 33 (77%) patients, additional laparoscopic adhesiolysis in four and inversion of a diverticulum in one. Changing to laparotomy during the laparoscopic operation was necessary in one patient because of a technical problem and in another because of bleeding of the appendicular artery. Laparoscopy was totally free of complications in 33 (77%) patients; another 9 (21%) had surgical or technical problems without negative outcome for the patient. In one (2%) patient a wound infection led to a negative outcome; there were no other laparoscopy-related events. The mean intensity of pain on the first day after laparoscopic appendectomy was 31 points (Visual Analogue Scale with 100 points) and decreased to nearly zero on the third day; 37% of patients needed opioids on the first and none on the third day. There was no statistical difference for pain intensity and consumption of analgesics after appendectomy via laparoscopy versus laparotomy. We conclude that diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in children and adolescents with suspected appendicitis is a safe and effective procedure.