The new surgery uses laparoscopy to make small cuts in the abdomen before inserting a tiny camera. The surgeon then performs he operation by watching a television monitor. According to physicians, patients feel less pain after the minimally invasive operation than after the traditional “open” method, which involves one long incision in the abdomen.
Experiments comparing the two kinds of procedures have yielded differing outcomes, and some experts doubt that laparoscopy is worth the higher upfront cost. The new study, published in the Annals of Surgery, suggested that laparoscopy could save thousands of dollars for patients over the long term.
Appendix removals are one of the most common surgeries in the United States, with approximately 750,000 procedures performed every year, according to the report.
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