Yonsei medical journal
-
Yonsei medical journal · Feb 2004
Meta AnalysisIs laparoscopic appendectomy useful for the treatment of acute appendicitis in Korea? A meta-analysis.
We performed a meta-analysis using results in the Korean literatures to determine whether laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) or open appendectomy (OA) provide the better outcome in possible acute appendicitis patients. To perform the meta-analysis, an extensive literature search was conducted, giving priority to the Journal of the Korean Surgical Society, and domestic literature in its search database, published since January 1993, to ascertain the usefulness of LA in the treatment of acute appendicitis. The criteria used for the quality evaluation were as follows: 1) study subjects must have been evaluated clinically for suspected acute appendicitis, and 2) articles were included only if sufficient data (e.g. patient number, mean and standard deviation of patient outcome variables) were available regarding patient outcomes for LA or OA treated appendicitis. ⋯ Overall effect size in terms of the time required to return to full functioning was 1.9757 (95% CI 1.0066 to 2.9448), and LA reduced the time required by about 2 days versus OA. Considering the overall odds ratio (0.33) and 95% CI (0.20 to 0.55) the incidence of wound infection was significantly lower in LA than in OA. This review of the published evidence suggests that LA is more useful for treating acute appendicitis, especially when perforated appendicitis is suspected.