OBJECTIVE To compare the direct and indirect costs of laparoscopic and open appendicectomy. DESIGN Randomised study. SETTING University hospital, Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total costs for a defined period of time for each option. RESULTS 102 patients were randomised and 99 were included in the final analysis. All patients had completely recovered within two months of operation. Disp...

Introduction: Both societal changes and technological advancements in recent decades have resulted in an evolutionary time for both surgical trainees and their mentors. A reduction in the amount of available working hours and the introduction of minimally invasive surgery has resulted in a need for an innovative approach to training our surgical trainees. This innovative approach should be in t...

Laparoscopic appendicectomy has become standard in the treatment of acute appendicitis in most hospitals in Ireland. Studies have shown that it is a safe procedure for trainees to perform. However, these studies were conducted in university teaching hospitals whereas a significant proportion of training in Ireland takes place in peripheral hospitals which provide a different training environmen...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate our experience of laparoscopic appendicectomy at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi over a six year period from the inception of the technique and to assess its advantages and disadvantages. DESIGN Case series study. SETTING The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi. PATIENTS One hundred and six cases operated on from May 1996 to June 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical presenta...

Aim: During minimal access surgery an assistant is controlling the laparoscope and surgeon should be free to manipulate instruments. Although the advantages of laparoscopic surgery are well documented, one disadvantage is that, for optimum performance, an experienced camera driver is required who can provide the necessary views for the operating surgeon. There are many drawbacks in human camera...

BACKGROUND Studies comparing laparoscopic and open appendicectomy are difficult to interpret owing to several types of bias, and the results often seem of limited clinical importance. National audits can be valuable to provide insight into outcomes following appendicectomy at a population level. METHODS A prospective, observational, resident-led, nationwide audit was carried out over a period...