Survey of school aged patients and their parents with regards to comprehension of laparoscopic appendectomy procedure

Aim Although laparoscopic surgery is well established in the paediatric population, there is paucity in the literature about the paediatric patients understanding of what laparoscopic surgery involves and how it differs from the open approach. This survey analyses school age patients and their parents with regard to their understanding of laparoscopic appendectomy. Method A questionnaire consisting of ten closed questions was given to school aged patients between the ages of 10–16 years who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in our paediatric surgical tertiary centre from March to November 2021. The same questionnaire was also given for the parents to complete. The questionnaire was completed after the surgery had been performed. Results Eighteen questionnaires were completed from 12 male and 6 female patients with a mean age of 12.44 years (10–15 years and 10 months). Only 3/18 children and 12/18 parents had previous knowledge of laparoscopic surgery being performed in children. All patients and parents understood the consent. 15/18 children were aware of the state of the appendix removed and 14/18 were aware of small scars. 9/18 were aware of the number of incisions to expect, 2/18 knew how the appendix was removed. Only 1/18 was aware that gas was used to insufflate the abdomen, 4/18 aware of a screen to perform video surgery and 7/18 were aware of the sutures not requiring removal. Conclusion Although the number of patients who completed this questionnaire is small, this survey provides us an invaluable insight into understanding of school age children and their parents on laparoscopic appendectomy.