Study on the Feasibility and the Safety of Hem-o-lok Clipping for Complicated Acute Appendicitis during Laparoscopic Appendectomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate the practical feasibility and safety of applying hem-o-lok clips for the closure of the appendiceal stump in complicated appendicitis. METHODS: From January 2009 to April 2010, 267 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies at the Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital were included in this study. Of these patients, 161 were diagnosed by computed tomography as having complicated acute appendicitis. In 107 patients, the appendiceal stump was closed with hem-o-lok clips, whereas in the remaining 160 patients, it was closed with endoloops. These two groups were compared for clinicopathologic data and procedural cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age, sex, hospital stay, or blood loss. Furthermore, postoperative complications were similar and highly acceptable in both groups. However, operation times were significantly shorter and hospital cost was lower for the hem-o-lok group. CONCLUSION: The hem-o-lok clips has advantages such as simplicity of application, a shorter operation time, and lower hospital cost when used as a means of securing the base of the appendix in relation to the endoloop procedure.