Comparison between open surgery versus laparoscopic surgery in complicated appendicitis

Abstract

Complicated appendicitis represents a significant challenge in surgical practice, requiring careful selection of the surgical approach. The objective of the study was to compare, through a literature review, open surgery with laparoscopic surgery in cases of complicated appendicitis. A descriptive and narrative investigation was carried out, exhaustively collecting and analyzing recent studies from scientific databases such as BVS, SciELO, Dialnet, and Google Scholar. The results indicated that laparoscopic appendectomy offers several advantages, including shorter recovery time, less postoperative pain, lower risk of infection, and smaller scars compared to open surgery. However, open surgery may be more suitable in cases with significant abscesses or perforations due to its direct access and wider view of the affected area. Some studies highlight the advantages of laparoscopy in terms of postoperative complications and hospitalization time. Others show no significant differences in complications between both techniques in patients under fourteen years old. The choice of surgical approach should be based on the individual patient's situation and the surgeon's experience. It is concluded that both methods are effective, but additional studies are needed to examine long-term results and associated complications. This analysis provides a solid foundation for guiding clinical decisions and optimizing outcomes in the treatment of complicated appendicitis.