From the Guidelines
Recovery from a laparoscopic appendectomy typically takes 1-2 weeks for most patients to resume normal daily activities, with complete healing taking 4-6 weeks, as supported by the 2020 update of the WSES Jerusalem guidelines 1. The benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy include less postoperative pain, shorter length of stay, and earlier return to work and physical activity, as reported in several systematic reviews of RCTs comparing the two approaches 1. Some key points to consider during the recovery period include:
- Most patients can return to work or school within 3-7 days if their job doesn't involve heavy lifting
- Pain management can be achieved with a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, with prescription pain medication like oxycodone only needed for breakthrough pain
- Activity restrictions include no heavy lifting (over 10 pounds) for 2 weeks, gradual return to exercise starting with walking, and avoiding swimming or baths until incisions are fully healed (typically 1-2 weeks) The laparoscopic approach leads to improved cosmesis, and significantly decreases postoperative complications, in particular surgical site infections (SSI), as demonstrated in the 2018 updated Cochrane review on LA versus OA 1. It's essential for patients to contact their doctor if they experience fever over 101°F, increasing pain, redness or drainage from incisions, or persistent nausea/vomiting. Laparoscopic appendectomy has significant benefits with improved morbidity compared to open appendectomy in complicated appendicitis as well, with reduced time to oral intake, and length of hospitalization, as shown in the meta-analysis by Athanasiou et al. 1.
From the Research
Recovery Time from Laparoscopic Appendectomy
The recovery time from a laparoscopic appendectomy can vary depending on several factors, including the individual's overall health and the complexity of the procedure.
- According to a study published in 2025 2, the laparoscopic approach offered a significantly shorter duration of hospital stay, with a mean of 3.57 days, compared to open appendectomy, which had a mean of 7.53 days.
- The same study found that patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy had an earlier return to normal bowel activity, with a mean of 8.2 hours, and were able to tolerate oral liquids on the first postoperative day at a rate of 96.7% 2.
- Another study published in 2016 found that outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy can be performed with a high rate of success, low morbidity, and low readmission rate, with 86% of patients being managed as outpatients 3.
- A study published in 2023 compared the outcomes of laparoscopic and open appendectomy in the treatment of acute appendicitis and found that the laparoscopic group had a longer recovery time after operation, but the decision of the operative procedure can be based on the patient's preference 4.
- A study published in 1995 found that the hospital stay for patients having laparoscopic appendectomy was significantly shorter, with a mean of 2.2 days, compared to open appendectomy, which had a mean of 4.3 days 5.
- A study published in 2025 found that the time to functional recovery was similar for patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during work hours and those who underwent the procedure out-of-hours 6.
Factors Affecting Recovery Time
Several factors can affect the recovery time from a laparoscopic appendectomy, including:
- The complexity of the procedure
- The individual's overall health
- The presence of any complications
- The timing of the surgery, with some studies suggesting that out-of-hours surgery may not affect recovery time 6
- The type of appendicitis, with complicated appendicitis potentially requiring a longer recovery time 2, 5