title: Comparison of the electrothermal vessel-sealing system versus endoclip in laparoscopic appendectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. memetoplantisi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aydogan
authors.forename: Kaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saribeyoglu
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.forename: Ziya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Salihoglu
authors.forename: Sinan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carkman
authors.forename: Tamer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salihoglu
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karatas
authors.forename: Bilgi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baca
authors.forename: Ozan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kucuk
authors.forename: Nihat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yavuz
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pekmezci
mesh_terms: 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