Page 21 - Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery - WALS Journal

WJOLS

Laparoscopic Appendicectomy in Gombe

Fig. 7: Port closure

Laparoscopy has long been used by the Department
Fig. 6: Ligation of the appendix after cauterization of the of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the purpose of
mesoappendix
investigating infertility. Until recently we had a visiting
general surgeon who pioneered the procedure in our
unit. Appendicectomies, though hand assisted, and
cholecystectomy were done. Now, we have a surgeon who
has a basic training in minimal access surgery and who
does most of the surgeries with good outcome.
Our experiences correspond with other work done in
1
10
the southeast of Nigeria and Patel et al reported a 106
case series of laparoscopic appendicectomy over a 6-year
period from 1996 to 2002 from Kenya. Our mean operative
time is 34.2 minutes. The pain experienced was mild (2.55
on average) based on visual analog scale (VAS) and that
is a great advantage of laparoscopic appendicectomy.
The average hospital stay postoperatively was 22 hours
Fig. 8: Five days after operation
and so early discharge and patients’ satisfactory remarks
are the hallmark of our joy and experience (Tables 1
Data extracted on time taken to operate, recover,
hospital stay, and pain perception were analyzed using to 5 and Graph 1).
Microsoft Excel 2010. Table 1: Summary of pain experienced based on visual analog scale
Operative Recovery Pain Hospital
RESULTS Sl. Age time time perception stay

Summary of values obtained is given below: no. (years) Sex (minutes) (minutes) (VAS) (hours)
1 27 M 45 180 2 19
2 19 F 31 180 2 18
Sl. no. Parameters Mean χ 2 3 18 F 42 210 3 22
1 Operative time in minutes 34.2 12.10 4 22 M 33 150 3 19
2 Recovery time in minutes 181 36.15 5 29 F 35 150 3 22
3 Pain perception (VAS) 2.55 1.96 6 18 F 35 180 2 26
4 Hospital stay in hours 22.1 4.00 7 18 F 28 180 3 2 23
19
F
8
22
240
30
VAS: Visual analog scale 9 27 F 32 180 3 22
10 20 F 28 180 2 23
DISCUSSION 11 28 M 30 150 3 22
12 19 F 32 180 3 23
There is general acceptance of laparoscopic appendi- 13 24 M 38 190 2 24
cectomy worldwide; however, it is still disputed to be a 14 26 M 33 180 3 2 23
36
25
150
F
34
15
9
gold standard in appendicectomy. The development of 16 17 M 32 180 3 19
laparoscopy surgery is slow in Nigeria compared with 17 29 F 40 180 2 20
other developing nations like India. From reports of 18 21 M 36 210 3 3 23
19
180
37
F
24
38
successes recorded across the globe, it is encouraging to 20 22 M 30 190 2 23
dedicate resources to establish the services efficiently in Mean 23.7 34.2 181 2.55 22.1
our institutions of learning. VAS: Visual analog scale
World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery, January-April 2016;9(1):17-21 19