The Advantages of Laparoscopic Appendectomy

A graduate of Muenster University Medical School in Germany, Clemens Gerstenkorn, MD, has more than 25 years of experience as a surgeon. Skilled in acute care surgery, Dr. Clemens Gerstenkorn performs a wide range of procedures, including open and laparoscopic appendectomies.

An appendectomy refers to removal of the appendix, a small part of the large intestine located in the right lower portion of the abdomen. This procedure is used in cases of appendicitis, or infection of the appendix, in order to prevent complications from a possible rupture with infection of the abdominal cavity and sepsis. 

Rather than creating a large abdominal incision, the surgeon may perform a laparoscopic appendectomy, a minimally invasive technique that entails making a few small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon then inserts a tiny camera that transmits a magnified image of the abdomen onto a large screen, which allows for safe removal of the appendix through the small incisions. The advantages of performing an appendectomy laprascopically include smaller scars, reduced pain, and faster recovery time. On the other hand it can spread the infection through the abdomen and the stump of the appendix will only be secured with staples. This can lead to leakage and later on to adhesions. An open appendectomy will avoid these complications and could be therefore advantageous especially in more advanced cases of appendicitis with abcess formation or bowel wall necrosis. Only time will tell as to which technique will develop into the gold standard for dealing with the different stages of acute appendicitis.