[Treatment of appendiceal peritonitis in children by video laparoscopic conversion: conversion is not a one-way procedure].

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This method was used in 14 children, seven boys and seven girls, aged from 2.7 to 14 years, with acute appendicitis and peritonitis.

RESULTS

Conversion to median laparotomy was necessary in order to perform adhesiolysis in two cases in which small bowel was observed. Postoperative complications occurred in four patients involving three wound infections and one mechanical intestinal obstruction. There was no intra-abdominal abscess.

CONCLUSION

This procedure allows appendectomy by an open classical approach to be performed, and subsequently allows the treatment of the generalized peritonitis by video laparoscopy, usually without median laparotomy.