[Laparoscopic appendectomy--alternative therapy in all stages of appendicitis?].

1989 we reported on our first series of 277 laparoscopic appendectomies. This technique was introduced by Semm in 1982. We acquired this procedure in 1987 and modified this operation-technique for surgical routine. We could demonstrate that laparoscopic appendectomy can be performed in chronic, acute and even in peracute cases. We introduce the facts of 500 laparoscopic appendectomies.