[Laparoscopic appendectomy in children--a new fashion or a privilege].

Whether laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy for simple and perforated appendicitis in children is still debatable. To answer this question, surgical experience of three experienced pediatric surgeons in a single institution was studied during one year in all cases of laparoscopic appendectomy. From January 2003 to January 2004, all laparoscopic appendectomies were reviewed for operative technique, advantages, disadvantages, operative time and length of stay. There were 44 laparoscopic appendectomies in children aged 4 to 19 years. Operating time dropped from 52 minutes at the beginning to less than 25 minutes at the end of year. Operating time in perforated appendicitis was slightly longer, from 58-65 minutes. Length of stay was 1-2 days for simple cases, and maximum 5 days for perforated ones. There were no postoperative complications such as abscess, bowel obstruction, bleeding, wound infection or mortality. Laparoscopic appendectomy is at least as safe and effective, if not superior to, as open appendectomy for both, simple and perforated appendicitis. Postoperative pain is less, and recovery is faster. Laparoscopic appendectomy is our procedure of choice in pediatric surgery.