Comparison of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy for the treatment of acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND: To compare efficacy and safety of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) in the treatment of acute appendicitis. METHODS: A total of 194 patients who underwent CLA (N.=142, mean(SD) age: 30.9 (11.3) years, 52.8% were males) or SILA (N.=52, mean(SD) age: 32.1 (9.9) years, 52.6% were females) at Acibadem International Organ Transplant Center were included in this retrospective study. Data on demographics (age, gender), anthropometrics, operative time (min)] and outcome [length of hospital stay (LOS, day), postoperative complications, pathology findings] were compared in CLA versus SILA groups. RESULTS: SILA group had shorter median (min-max) operative time (45.0 (25.0-90.0) min vs. 62.5 (30.0-150.0) min, P<0.00001) and higher rate for any postoperative complications (30.8% vs. 10.6%, P=0.0005), abdominal pain (25.05 vs. 4.9%) in particular, when compared to patients in the CLA group. No significant difference was noted between two groups in terms of LOS (P=0.775). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that despite shorter operative time, SILA had higher risk of postoperative complications, while similar LOS as compared with CLA. Accordingly, SILA seems to be a faster alternative to CLA, while not superior to CLA in terms of postoperative recovery.