Port Exteriorization Appendectomy in Children: Author’s Early Experience

Abstract We have adopted a modified two-port exteriorization technique by using the least number of ports for laparoscopic appendectomy. A retrospective study was undertaken from 2018 to 2022 at a tertiary care teaching institute to assess its efficacy, feasibility, and safety in children with appendicitis. The patients with generalized peritonitis, appendicular abscess, concomitant intestinal obstruction, and conversion to open technique were excluded. In 20 patients appendectomy (within 48 h) was performed extraabdominally after the appendix was identified by using a laparoscope through a 5 mm umbilical optical port and then delivered outside through the 10 and 12 mm working port in the right iliac fossa. An accessory port was required in 6 (30%) patients with complicated appendicitis. Postoperative recovery was satisfactory with no major complications in all cases. The port exteriorization appendectomy technique is a technically easy, safe approach with excellent cosmetic results in carefully selected pediatric patients with acute appendicitis.