Apendicectomía laparoscópica versus clásica en pacientes obesos

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy may have advantages over the open surgical technique in obese patients. Aim: To compare the results and complications of open and laparoscopic appendectomy in obese patients. Material and Methods: Patients consulting for acute appendicitis with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more were randomly assigned to be treated by open of laparoscopic appendectomy. Both surgical techniques were standardized. Results: Seventy patients were studied. Half were treated with laparoscopic and half with open surgery. Demographic variables were comparable in both groups. Surgical times for open and laparoscopic appendectomies were 35 and 42 min respectively. The figures for hospital stay were 2.5 and 2.1 days respectively. Surgical wound problems more common in open surgery. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3% of patients. Conclusions: In this group of obese patients, laparoscopic appendectomy had a low rate of conversion and lesser wound complications.