Influence of the Different Ways of Appendix Stump Closure on Patient Outcome in Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Prospective study was conducted in the period from 02. October 2016 to 30. December 2016. The patients were randomly divided into four groups; in the first group, the base of the appendix was secured using one endoloop ligature, in the second group using the 45-mm stapler, in third group using only one non-absorbable Hem-o-lok clip and in fourth group using titanium DS clip.

Patients were assessed for eligibility at the emergency station by the surgeon on-call once the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was established. A dedicated study nurse assigned randomly to Endoloop (E group) or Stapler (S group), or Hem-o-lock (H group), or DS clip (DS group) by picking out of a box and opening a sealed opaque randomization envelope in operating theatre. The details of the allocated treatments (''E'' or ''S'', or (''H'' or (''Ds'' ) were given on cards contained in sealed opaque envelopes. All sealed opaque envelopes were previously prepared with a 1 : 1 ratio, well shuffled, and put into a box by the dedicated study nurse. No blinding was performed.

Data collected included age, gender, surgery time, time of hem-o-lok clip application, hospital stay, costs associated with these and intra- and post-operative complications.

Technique

The patient was placed in supine position, combined with Trendelenburg position and left lateral position (10º - 15º, incline towards the surgeon). The surgeon used the French position (between legs of patient) and an assistant stood on the left side, and monitor was on the right side of the patient. The bladder was decompressed with the Foley catheter to avoid an injury during insertion of the supra-pubic ports. Pneumoperitoneum was established with the Veress needle through the umbilicus and then an endoscope was introduced. Under direct vision, one 12 mm trocar was inserted in suprapubic region, a little to the left, and 5 mm trocar in the right lower quadrant, to the level of the first 12 mm port, in order to acquire triangulation. After that the abdominal cavity was inspected.

When the decision was made to perform appendectomy, mesoappendix was mobilized and dissected using an harmonic scalpel (Ethicon, Endosurgery, Cincinnati, OH). In the first group, the base of the appendix was secured using one endoloop, and on the distal part which would be removed, another endoloop was used. In the second group, the appendix was secured by a 45 mm stapler (thick charge) (Ethicon, Endosurgery, Cincinnati, OH). In the third group, one hem-o-lok clip, size XL (Hem-o-lock, Weck Closure Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) was placed on the base the appendix by a special applier for the hem-o-lok clip, and on the distal part which would be removed, another clip was used. In the fourth group, one titanium DS clip (Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany) was placed on the base of appendix by endoscopic clip applier (12 mm) and on the distal part which would be removed, another DS clip was used.