Puncture needle-assisted transumbilical single-site laparoscopic appendectomy in children

Objective To explore the feasibility and advantages of puncture needle assisted transumbilical single-site laparoscopic surgery for appendicitis in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 110 cases of acute appendicitis treated at our hospital from December, 2015 to October, 2017. 65 cases received traditional three-hole laparoscopic treatment were set as a traditional endoscopy treatment group, and 45 cases received puncture needle-assisted transumbilical single-site laparoscopic treatment a puncture needle assisted treatment group. The operation time, intra-operative bleeding volume, and the incidence of common complications were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results All the children in both groups were cured. The operation time and intra-operative bleeding volume were significantly lower in the puncture needle assisted treatment group than in traditional endoscopy treatment group [(40.7±11.5) min vs. (59.3±13.7) min, P=0.033; (4.3±1.1) ml vs. (7.5±2.9) ml, P=0.007) ]. There were no statistical differences in exhaust time, hospitalization time, meanhospitalized cost, and the incidence of common complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture needle assisted transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in children is a safe, effective, and cosmetic method, which is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Abdominal wall puncture needle; Appendicectomy; Laparoscopy.