title: The handmade endoloop technique. A simple and cheap technique for laparoscopic appendectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Harran University Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa 63300, Turkey. fahrettinyildiz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fahrettin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Alpaslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terzi
authors.forename: Sacid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coban
authors.forename: Nazif
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zeybek
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uzunkoy
mesh_terms: 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