Acute Appendicitis
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: This study is a single-center retrospective observational analysis including all documented laparoscopic appendectomies performed between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2025 at the Klinikum Lud
only pseudonymized, routinely collected clinical data from patients aged 18 years or older are analyzed.
The study procedure consists of the following steps:
Identification of eligible cases using t
exclusions include primary open surgery, combined procedures, or incomplete datasets).
Pseudonymization of all datasets prior to data processing.
Extraction of relevant variables, including surgeon
no data are shared with third parties.
Sponsors
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Kinderchirurgie
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Laparoscopic removal of the appendix performed for confirmed acute appendicitis Complete clinical documentation available for the case within the study period Routine clinical data accessible and suitable for retrospective analysis
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Age under 18 years Primary open surgery Combined or extended surgical procedures in which the appendix was removed for reasons other than acute inflammation (e.g., right hemicolectomy for cancer, incidental appendectomy without acute appendicitis) Incomplete or non-analyzable medical records
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| What is the endpoint (outcome measure)? The study includes several primary endpoints reflecting operative outcomes in laparoscopic appendectomy: Operative time Conversion rate (laparoscopic to open surgery) Postoperative complications classified according to the Clavien-Dindo system Length of hospital stay When is each parameter assessed? Because this is a retrospective study, all primary endpoints are assessed after the fact, using existing clinical documentation: Operative time: Recorded intraoperatively and documented in the operative protocol. Conversion: Documented during the procedure and in the operative report. Postoperative complications: Assessed throughout the entire inpatient course, including any interventions or reoperations prior to discharge. Length of stay: Calculated from admission to discharge based on administrative records. How are the data collected? All parameters are obtained retrospectively from the electronic medical record of the Klinikum Ludwigsburg. Datasets are pseudonymized before analysis, and no additional patient contact or data collection is performed. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| In addition to the primary endpoints, the study evaluates the following secondary endpoints: - Involvement or consultation of an experienced surgeon (supervision or on-demand intraoperative assistance) - Training level and year of training (resident, board-certified specialist, senior/consultant surgeon) - Severity of appendicitis (e.g., phlegmonous, perforated), based on operative report and pathology - Histopathological findings, including detection of tumors - Impact of working-hour conditions (daytime vs. nighttime surgery) - Placement of intraoperative drainage (yes/no) - Perioperative antibiotic therapy and duration of treatment - Time interval from emergency presentation to the start of surgery –- categorized as: --- Early surgery: = 24 hours after emergency presentation --- Delayed surgery: > 24 hours after emergency presentation - Timing of assessment (retrospective) All secondary endpoints are assessed retrospectively based on existing clinical records: - Supervision/assistance: operative report, surgical documentation - Training level/year: internal training and OR documentation - Severity: operative notes, pathology report - Histopathology: final pathology report - Day/night shift: OR timestamps, duty schedules - Drain placement: operative protocol - Antibiotic treatment: electronic medication record - Time to surgery: timestamps of emergency presentation and operation start Data collection All data are obtained retrospectively from the electronic medical record. No additional data are collected, and no patient contact occurs. All datasets are pseudonymized prior to analysis. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactChristian Benignus
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Kinderchirurgie
Outcome results
None listed