Timing of laparoscopic appendectomy and impacts on outcomes: A retrospective study of patients across in-hours, after-hours and holidays.

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency, and appendectomy is essential to prevent complications such as perforation and peritonitis. Although the procedure is routine, outcomes may be affected by surgery timing, staffing, and hospital resources. Evidence on whether off-hour operations increase complications is conflicting. This study aimed to assess whether laparoscopic appendectomy performed during weekday in-hours, after-hours, or holiday periods influences postoperative outcomes.

AIM: To investigate clinical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy performed during weekday daytime, weekday evening, and weekends or holidays.

METHODS

The data of 977 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in a high-volume tertiary hospital between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, were recruited. Patients were divided into three groups including surgeries during regular weekday in-hours (group 1), during weekday after-hours (group 2) and during weekends or extended holiday periods (group 3). Demographic, peri-, and postoperative data were compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in operative time, conversion to open surgery, or complication rates between all groups. However, patients in the weekend/holiday group had significantly shorter time to surgery (median: 584 minutes vs 589 minutes vs 535 minutes, P = 0.002), and patients in the weekday in-hours group had significantly longer hospital stays than the other groups (median: 2 days vs 1 day vs 1 day, P < 0.001). No mortality occurred in any group.

CONCLUSION

In a well-staffed center, laparoscopic appendectomy during weekends or holidays is safe and may offer faster surgical access. Delay to surgery, not the working hour, is the main factor affecting outcomes.