019). The length of the total hospital stay was 4.36 ± 1.74 days in the GLA group compared with 5.68 ± 4.44 days in the LA group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.053). There was a significant decrease in the hospital cost when the GLA group was compared with the LA group (6659 ± 1782 vs. 9056 ± 2680 Yuan, respectively, P < 0.001). Discussion The present study showed that the operative

duration, complications, and total hospital stay were comparable between GLA and conventional LA. However, GLA significantly reduced the hospital cost. The laparoscopic approach to appendectomy has gained wide acceptance over the last 30 years. LA offers a lower risk of postoperative infection and a shorter period for full recovery [13]. Furthermore, LA is a preferred technique for suspected or complicated appendicitis [14]. However, pneumoperitoneum, MEK162 which is required for LA, may cause a series of complications and prevent the use of LA for patients who are unable

to tolerate them. For instance, significant metabolic and hemodynamic alterations are associated with the intra-peritoneal insufflation of carbon dioxide [15]. The arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide and end-tidal carbon dioxide levels click here increase in a consistent manner. This phenomenon Tariquidar supplier does not present significant difficulties in the majority of healthy patients, but it can seriously complicate the perioperative course of patients with obstructive pulmonary disease [16]. GLA, which was invented by Smith et al. in 1993 to overcome the disadvantages of conventional

LA [11]. Gasless laparoscopy employing an abdominal wall-lifting device has Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase been shown to eliminate the adverse cardiopulmonary effects arising from abdominal insufflation [17]. Many retrospective studies reported in the last 20 years have focused on the technical improvement of GLA [18]. However, GLA is not considered an alternative for appendectomy because no RCTs have established its feasibility and safety. While gasless laparoscopy effectively prevents the complications associated with CO2pneumoperitoneum, inadequate visualization restrains its application in complicated surgeries. A previous RCT showed that the gasless laparoscopic procedure was considerably more difficult to perform and required longer operative times [19]. Appendectomy, however, is a relative simple surgery that requires very little room, making it a good candidate for gasless laparoscopy. The present study showed that there was no significant increase in the operative time for GLA when compared to LA. The incidence of complications was also comparable between the two groups. Wound infection and intraabdominal abscess, which occurred in both groups, are the most common complications for appendectomy and are not dependent on CO2 insufflation [10]. In the GLA group, special complications that may be associated with decreased operative room in a gasless condition, such as thermal damage to the small bowel, were not observed.