Comparison of Endoloop and polymer locking clip in ligating appendiceal stump during laparoscopic appendectomy

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare use of Endoloop (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) and Hem-o-lok (Teleflex, Inc., Wayne, PA, USA) polymer locking clip for closure of the appendix base during laparoscopic appendectomy.
METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, 2 groups (Group 1: Endoloop; Group 2: Hem-o-lok) were formed and demographics, operating time, stump closure time, length of postoperative hospital stay, cost, and complications were compared.
RESULTS: No perioperative or major postoperative complications were encountered. There was no mortality. Mean operating time was 50±10.6 minutes for Group 1 and 40±12.6 minutes for Group 2. Mean appendiceal base closure time was determined to be 187±102 seconds and 69±30 seconds in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 53±33.4 hours and 47.5±34 hours for Group 1 and 2, respectively. Comparison of operating time revealed statistically significant difference (t=3.22; p=0.002), and base closure time in Group 1 was significantly longer (z=6.388; p<0.001). Remaining statistical comparisons did not reveal any statistically significant results.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Polymeric clip application of the appendiceal base had statistically significantly better results in terms of technical comfort and operating time in comparison with application of Endoloop. Further clinical studies are required to reach a final conclusion.