Postoperative Complications And Recovery Time Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has become the preferred method for treating acute appendicitis due to its minimally invasive nature, reduced postoperative complications, and faster recovery times. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative outcomes, complications, and recovery metrics following LA in a single-center in Bangladesh. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from April 2021 to January 2024 at 250 Bed District Hospital, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic information, clinical presentation, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. Patients with incomplete records or those who underwent open appendectomy were excluded. The primary outcomes measured were postoperative complications and recovery time. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and multivariate analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Results: The majority of patients (35%) were aged 18-29 years, with a slight male predominance (54%). Simple appendicitis was observed in 66% of cases, while 30% had complicated appendicitis. The mean operative time was 30-60 minutes in 58% of cases, and only 7% required conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications included surgical site infections (12%) and intra-abdominal abscesses (8%), both statistically significant. The majority of patients (55%) had a hospital stay of 2-3 days, and 56% returned to normal activities within 8-14 days. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with increased complication rates. Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure in managing acute appendicitis, with favorable outcomes regarding postoperative complications and recovery times. Comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes are significant predictors of complications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive preoperative evaluation. LA remains a reliable choice, even in resource-constrained settings like Bangladesh