Metal endoclips for the closure of the appendiceal stump in laparoscopic appendectomy

Abstract

Closure of the appendiceal stump in laparoscopic appendectomy is the most crucial part of the procedure. In this retrospective clinical study, we describe a technique for laparoscopic appendectomy, in which the appendiceal stump is secured by metal endoclips. Medical data of the patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis between January 2005 and January 2011 at our institution were reviewed. The patients who had their appendiceal stump secured by metal endoclips were recruited for the study. The outcome measures were the rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, operative time, and the length of hospital stay. A total of 233 patients were included to the study. The rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, the mean operative time, and median length of hospital stay were 3 and 4%, 31.1 (15-75) min, and 18 (8-96) h, respectively. The closure of the appendiceal stump with metal endoclips in laparoscopic appendectomy is simple, quick, and safe with outcomes comparable to those of other methods.