Laparoscopic appendicectomy: a training model for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy?

Objective  To analyse the outcome of laparoscopic appendicectomy and right hemicolectomy and see if the surgical approach to the former can be applied to the latter. Method  A prospective electronic laparoscopic database identified 330 appendicectomies and 78 right hemicolectomies (using this approach) between 1996 and 2005. Results  Three hundred and thirty patients (188 males: median age 38 years, range 17–74 years) underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy; 270 (82%) were performed by trainees (higher surgical trainee 71%, basic surgical trainee 12%). The median operative time for trainees was 35 min (14–75 min) with a conversion rate 2%. There were no intra‐operative complications. The postoperative complication rate excluding minor wound infection (5.5%) was 1.5%. There were no deaths. The median hospital stay was 2 days (1–15 days). The 30‐day readmission rate was 1%. Seventy‐eight patients (23–93 years) underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy during 2004/5; trainees performed parts thereof in the majority or all of the surgery in 25 cases. The median operation time was 55 min: trainees 115 (65–145 min). There was one conversion. The median hospital stay was 4 days (2–23 days) falling to 3 for the last 20 operations (1–8 days). There were two readmissions for wound sepsis and small bowel obstruction and three deaths (3.8%): anastomotic leak (one), C difficile infection leading to renal failure (one) and duodenal perforation (one). Conclusion  Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe, predictable, easily learnt operation and an ideal model for learning the skills and principles required for more advanced laparoscopic colorectal interventions and in particular, right hemicolectomy.