Port Exteriorization Appendectomy in children: An Alternative to Conventional Laparoscopic Technique?

Appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. The surgical techniques to perform appendectomy are various, ranging from the open technique, first described by Mac Burney in 1894 and which has been the gold standard for the management of acute appendicitis for more than a century, to the standard three ports laparoscopic approach described by Semm In 1983 [1]. The Port exteriorization appendectomy offers advantages of both approaches, a good laparoscopic visualization and a safe extracorporeal appendectomy. First reported by Valla [2]. Then by others like Ohno [3]. This technique concerned at the beginning only cases of uncomplicated appendicitis. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of port exteriorization appendectomy for both complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. Different variables were documented and collected: Mean operative time, conversion rate, hospital stay, complications and patients’ satisfaction.