Laparoscopic appendectomy in 625 cases: from innovation to routine.

Invented in 1982 by Semm, a gynecologist, laparoscopic appendectomy began to be used in operative surgery in 1987. Since then, we have modified and performed this promising procedure in > 700 patients. The data of the first 625 cases indicate that laparoscopic appendectomy is safe and practicable. With regard to patient age as well as the acuteness of the inflammation, the patients represent a cross section of the normal appendicitis population. The major benefits and possible problems of the method are presented and discussed.