The handmade endoloop technique. A simple and cheap technique for laparoscopic appendectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare 2 laparoscopic appendectomy techniques.


METHODS
We describe a modified technique, the handmade endoloop technique, for closing the base of the appendix. This prospective study was carried out at Harran University Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa, and Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey from September 2006 to February 2008. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the procedure in 98 acute appendicitis cases: 57 patients handmade endoloop patients, and 41 endoloop technique patients. Operative time, postoperative complications, need for analgesics, and procedure cost were measured for both groups. The endoloops and sutures used to manage appendectomy were listed at current prices, summarized as number consumed per case, and compared. Data were analyzed by appropriate test.


RESULTS
The average price of material used for closing the base of appendix was 81 American Dollars (USD) for laparoscopic appendectomy with endoloop, and 8 USD for the technique described by this article. Overall, postoperative complications, operative time, and the need for analgesia did not show a statistical difference in comparing both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This procedure is simple, safe, and cheap.
Yildiz
Fahrettin
F
Department of General Surgery, Harran University Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa 63300, Turkey. fahrettinyildiz@hotmail.com
Terzi
Alpaslan
A
Coban
Sacid
S
Zeybek
Nazif
N
Uzunkoy
Ali
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014421:Turkey