Comparison of the electrothermal vessel-sealing system versus endoclip in laparoscopic appendectomy.
BACKGROUND
Various techniques have been used for the division of mesoappendix, such as endoloops, endoscopic linear cutting staplers, an electrothermal vessel-sealing system (LigaSure), the Harmonic Scalpel, clips, and bipolar coagulation. In the present study, LigaSure and an endoclip were compared in laparoscopic appendectomy (LA).


METHODS
This study included patients who underwent LA for acute appendicitis at Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Emergency Unit (Istanbul, Turkey) between May 2003 and April 2007. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the mesoappendix dissection device: LigaSure and endoclip groups. The main outcome measures (e.g., operating time, conversion rate, hospital stay, postoperative complications, etc.) were then compared.


RESULTS
LA was performed in 280 patients with acute appendicitis. LigaSure and endoclips were used in 127 and 153 patients, respectively. The mean operative times were 41 and 54 minutes in the LigaSure and endoclip groups, respectively. Conversions to open rates were found to be 9.4% (12 patients) in the LigaSure and 11.1% (17 patients) in endoclip groups. No statistically significant differences regarding hospital stay or complications were found, whereas significant differences were observed in surgical time and conversion rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of LigaSure facilitates the dissection of mesoappendix and shortens the operation time in LA. We believe that LigaSure is a safe, useful tool for mesoappendix dissection.
Aydogan
Fatih
F
Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. memetoplantisi@yahoo.com
Saribeyoglu
Kaya
K
Simsek
Osman
O
Salihoglu
Ziya
Z
Carkman
Sinan
S
Salihoglu
Tamer
T
Karatas
Adem
A
Baca
Bilgi
B
Kucuk
Ozan
O
Yavuz
Nihat
N
Pekmezci
Salih
S
D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome