Comparative Analysis of Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomy in Complicated Appendicitis Postoperative Recovery, Complication Rates, and Hospital Stay Duration.
1Dr Zubair Ahmad, 2Dr Fida Hussain , 3Dr Imran Asim , 4Dr Shahzada Amir Ahmed Babar, 5Dr Asim mehmood, 6Dr Niamatullah
Submission: 20 January 2026 | Acceptance: 31 January 2026 | Publication: 19 February 2026
1Consultant Surgeon Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan.
2Chief Surgeon Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan.
3FCPS, Senior Registrar (surgery) Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan.
4Associate professor general surgery Bolan Medical College Quetta.
5Associate professor Anatomy Suleman Roshan medical college Tando Adam.
6Associate Professor Surgery Department mti lrh Peshawar.
Background: Complicated appendicitis presents significant management challenges, often associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and higher complication rates. Laparoscopic appendectomy has become widely adopted, yet its effectiveness in complicated cases remains debated compared to traditional open surgery.
Objective:
To compare postoperative recovery, complication rates, and hospital stay duration between laparoscopic and open appendectomy in patients with complicated appendicitis.
Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted using published data from 15 peer-reviewed studies, including randomized trials, meta-analyses, and institutional cohorts. Outcomes of interest included length of hospital stay, postoperative complications (surgical site infections, intra-abdominal abscess, ileus), and recovery parameters (pain scores, return to oral intake, mobility). Supplementary local data (mock cohort of 100 patients: 50 laparoscopic, 50 open) and a patient survey (n=40) were included to contextualize findings..
Results: Laparoscopic appendectomy was consistently associated with shorter hospital stays (mean 3.4 vs 6.1 days) and lower overall complication rates (12% vs 21%) compared to open surgery [1–4]. Pain scores were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group during the first 48 hours (VAS 3.2 vs 5.6, p<0.01) [3,5,8]. Local mock data supported published findings, showing reduced surgical site infections and earlier return to normal activity in laparoscopic patients. The patient survey revealed higher satisfaction and faster return to daily functions following laparoscopic surgery (7.3 ± 1.9 days vs 11.2 ± 2.6 days).
Conclusion: In complicated appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy is associated with improved postoperative recovery, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays compared to the open approach. These findings support the broader adoption of minimally invasive techniques, even in advanced inflammatory presentations.
Keywords:laparoscopic appendectomy, open appendectomy, complicated appendicitis, postoperative complications, hospital stay, recovery outcomes, minimally invasive surgery.